“This Is Kerala’s Real Story”: Rs 34 Crore Successfully Raised For Abdul Rahim’s Release From Saudi Jail
After several efforts to collect funds to pay as blood money for the release of Kozhikode’s Abdul Rahim, who has been sentenced to death in the case of murdering a differently-abled boy, over Rs 34 crore has been collected three days ahead of the deadline.
Since the past four days, friends and family of Abdul Rahim have been making efforts to collect the huge amount before his execution date of April 16 arrived. A mobile app called ‘SAVE ABDUL RAHIM’ was set up to collect the amount. As of this afternoon, Rs 30 crore had been raised, with Rs 4 crore pending.
However, solidarity and support poured in from people across Kerala, and several people from all religions joined in on the crowdfunding initiative. Many people gathered at Abdul Rahim’s house to donate their share of money, as seen in a now viral video. Malayalees in Riyadh also gave a helping hand by conducting a Biryani challenge to raise funds for the cause, reported Onmanorama.
Soon after crowdfunding, the app was paused for the purpose of auditing and ensuring transparency. Abdul Rahim Legal Assistance Committee confirmed that funding had resumed around 4:30 p.m. The committee announced that the required amount had been collected.
The money that has been raised through various crowdfunding sources
According to an Onmanorama report, one of the members of the committee said, “This is Kerala’s real story.”
Following the completion of the target amount, the committee asked people to stop donations.
Hailing from Kozhikode’s Feroke, Abdul Rahim travelled to Riyadh for better employment opportunities. During his tenure as a house driver for a differently-abled boy, tragedy struck. One day, while stuck at a traffic signal, the boy reportedly urged Abdul Rahim to move the vehicle forward. When the latter refused to ignore the red light, the boy began beating him. During the altercation, the medical device supporting the boy’s breathing fell after Rahim accidentally touched it, resulting in the 15-year-old’s untimely demise.
The Saudi court sentenced Abdul Rahim to death on murder charges. The Supreme Court upheld the verdict. However, following negotiations, the victim’s family agreed to accept blood money in exchange for Abdul Rahim’s release, with the deadline set for the day of his execution, that is, April 16.
In October last year, the family of Abdul Rahim had agreed to provide financial compensation to the victim’s family, which is called Diya, the compensation is given in case of murder, bodily harm, or property damage, of 15 million Saudi Riyals, or Rs 33.24 crore.
The Indian Embassy in Riyadh has jumpstarted the procedures required to bring the collected money to Saudi Arabia. The Ministry of External Affairs has also been sought out to ensure the blood money is transferred smoothly.
