Govt taking every possible step to help Naushad

The Keralite who has been jailed in Saudi Arabia will lose an eye if a Shariat court verdict is implemented.

who The Centre was initiating all possible steps to help Naushad, the Keralite jailed in Saudi Arabia, who will lose an eye if a Shariat court verdict is implemented, Union Minister of State for External Affairs, E Ahamed said on Friday.

HT Image

"We are exploring all possibilities, including gaining mercy from the affected person', he said.

Stating that according to the Saudi judicial system, the court could pardon the convict only if the victim showed mercy.

Ahamed said the Centre was in touch with the Saudi authorities to find out if a mercy petition from Naushad's wife, Suhaila to the Saudi King could help resolve the issue.

Thirty three-year-old Naushad, hailing from Anchal in Kollam district, had been asked by a Shariat Court in Saudi Arabia to give an eye as punishment for being the cause of a Saudi losing an eye during a scuffle.

Referring to the recent kidnapping and killing of a Keralite, Maniappan R Kutty in Afghanistan, he said even in that case, all possible steps were taken to save his life, though the measures did not succeed.