02 July 2024 :
The death penalty of Kozhikode native Abdul Rahim who is currently jailed in Saudi Arabia has been officially scrapped, Mathrubhumi web site reported on July 2, 2024.
The order was issued by a criminal court in Riyadh.
Earlier, a ‘Blood Money’ of Rs 34 crores was handed over to the family of the boy who was allegedly killed by Rahim. After receiving the money, in return, the kin of the deceased informed the court of their willingness to forgive Rahim.
The court proceedings were conducted online. The court verified all the documents pertaining to the case before scrapping the death penalty. Rahim is likely to be released from jail on July 4. Some days ago, in a display of solidarity and compassion, people in Kerala had rallied together to raise an astounding Rs 34 crore to save the man sentenced to death.
The action committee, formed to work for the release of Rahim, could initially raise only a meagre amount, but as the campaign intensified, help poured in from Malayalees across the globe, providing much-needed support to the organisers.
Rahim was jailed in 2006 after he accidentally caused the death of a specially-abled boy whom he was taking care of.
He was sentenced to death in 2018 after the family of the Saudi boy refused to grant amnesty.
The action committee members had informed the media that their appeals were being rejected by the top courts; they had stated that the boy’s family was willing to pardon Rahim if he pays the 'blood money.’
Learning of the incident, more than 75 organisations in Riyadh, Kerala-based businessman Bobby Chemmannur, various political organisations in the state and several common people helped to raise the money. Rahim’s mother had said that she had never thought that such an amount could be raised. "I had no hope as we have no means to raise Rs 34 crore. But somehow it was all made possible," she said. Bobby Chemmanur organised multiple events to raise money. He also organised the sale of one of his products and donated the whole amount to the cause. The action committee had created a mobile application to ensure transparency in the matter.
