Released Indian prisoners pose with Dubai-based hotelier, SP Singh Oberoi (C), who helped secure their release, pose for a photo at the Sikh Shrine Golden temple in Amritsar. PHOTO: AFP
The Indian men, from Punjab (16) and Haryana (one) were on death row in the Emirates for killing an alleged Pakistani bootlegger Misri Khan in Sharjah in 2009. They finally returned to their homeland on Tuesday after benefactors managed to pay the $25 million diyat (blood money) to secure their release.
The men had gone to Dubai in search of better fortunes. There they chanced upon the lucrative illicit-liquor trade that feeds the Gulf country where sale and consumption of alcohol without license is a criminal offence.
The men had been convicted of murdering Pakistani Misri Khan, an alleged bootlegger. The men were in a business meeting in 2009 in the Al Sajaa area of Sharjah between the alleged Pakistani liquor-dealer, his two friends and the Indians. The meeting descended into a dispute and turned violent during which Khan was fatally stabbed multiple times.
However, Dubai-based hotelier SP Singh Oberoi led a campaign to save the men, raising funds to pay the blood money.
"These boys are very happy to be freed at last and to reach back home. We are heading to Amritsar to offer prayers at Harmandir Sahib."
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there was no compulsion to accept the blood money...his pak relatives choose to accept the money.if they said no they all would have been killed as per law...............so blame the dead pak guy for doing alchohol bussiness and his pak relatives for accepting money for his blood..............
@Faisal: them you are against Islamic principles
@1984: This rule is biased in favor of rich who can get free after murdering and the poor one gets hanged.
@Abu Yusuf
This blood money concept were existed among Arab tribes even before Islam! how come it become Allah's law or shariah. go research first then come.
god bless mr.oberoi.
Concept of blood money is repulsive. People who commit crimes should be punished appropriately. Blood money will encourage the rich to commit crimes.
Look at this guys history, he didnt do this because he hates pakistanis. Hes helped save Pakistanis too.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/166470/an-indian-saviour-from-mohali-with-love/
@Faisal: This blood money idea is a Muslim and not a Hindu or sikh or Christian idea. So do not grumble.
How can seventeen boys be convicted of murder? One or two may have stabbed him, not all seventeen. I think the Saudi,s were trying to make an example of them.
@Faisal: You idiot this is sharia law, the law of Allah swt, it shows how non Muslims can put large money sums together for the sake of their compatriots. I wonder if it was the other way round and Muslims got together to raise the 25 million dollars!!!! Needed. It just shows that Muslims love this life and money even more than non Muslims. And Muslims can't even recognise their on sharia when implemented!!!!!
I'm an Indian and non-muslim,but I hate the fact that these men are allowed to see the light of the day....
Dear Muslims,please tell me how this concept of blood money is humane?? Would you be alright if Indians offered money for the slain Pakistani soldiers in LOC recently??? Why was Raymond Davis left free after US govt offered Blood money??
Is the life of a muslim so cheap that you can shell out some money after killing him and you will leave unpunished??
Pakistani blood is so cheap. Anyone can pay money and get away, like in the case of Raymond Davis. It has become obvious, even Indians pay and get away.
Savages on both sides of the border!
This blood money crap should be banned. These killers should have been hanged in first place.
Great, justice done in foreign lands for the victim and the murderers. Hope these 17 men will live a decent life now. If this murder would have happened in India then Pakistani Misri Khan would have been dubbed a terrorist behind XYZ attacks. If this murder would have happened in Pakistan then courts would delay the justice until all 17 men die a natural death or they would have been set free under Aman ka Tamasha.
So who get the $25 million? Clearly they have big financial backing