18 Years Behind Bars: Indian Men's Liberation

Indian men released from jail after 18 years

Five men from the Indian state of Telangana, who had been incarcerated in Dubai for a staggering 18 years, finally tasted freedom as the authorities granted them release and facilitated their return to their homeland. Their journey from imprisonment to reunion with their families at Hyderabad airport on February 20 was nothing short of an emotional rollercoaster, marking the end of a long and arduous chapter in their lives. SV Reddy, the convenor of the Telangana Gulf NRI cell, narrated the poignant scene of their reunion, underscoring the immense relief and joy that permeated the atmosphere.

These five men – Shivarathri Mallesh, Shivarathri Ravi, Gollem Nampally, Dundugula Laxman, and Shivarathri Hanmanthu – hailed from the Rajanna Sircilla district of Telangana, venturing to Dubai in pursuit of employment opportunities. They toiled as construction workers, their abode being the Sonapur Labour Camp, a testament to their humble origins and the hardships they endured far from home.

The saga of their incarceration traces back to a fateful altercation in 2005, when a confrontation with a Nepalese security guard spiraled out of control, culminating tragically in the guard's demise. SV Reddy shed light on the circumstances surrounding the incident, asserting that the men harbored no malicious intent and attributing the death to an unfortunate accident borne out of a heated exchange turned violent.

Dubai's judicial system swiftly intervened, initiating legal proceedings against the five men. Initially handed a 10-year sentence, their fate took a grim turn following an appeal, which resulted in a staggering 25-year imprisonment term. The gravity of their situation loomed large as they grappled with the harsh reality of their extended incarceration, separated from their loved ones and grappling with the consequences of that fateful altercation.

However, amidst the darkness of their prolonged confinement, a ray of hope emerged in the form of concerted efforts by various stakeholders to secure their release. SV Reddy outlined the collaborative endeavors spearheaded by social groups, the Indian Consulate, and the government of Telangana, which ultimately paved the way for their liberation after 18 years behind bars.

Central to their release was a pivotal intervention by a minister from the Telangana government, who embarked on a diplomatic mission aimed at obtaining a 'No Objection Certificate' from the family of the deceased security guard. This gesture underscored a commitment to justice tempered with compassion, as the minister personally extended olive branches to assuage the grievances of the aggrieved party and facilitate the men's repatriation.

The culmination of these efforts materialized on February 18, as the five men emerged from the confines of their prison cells, their path to freedom facilitated by the issuance of white passports by the Indian consulate. Their journey back to their homeland marked the denouement of a protracted legal battle and the beginning of a new chapter in their lives, infused with gratitude for the support extended by UAE authorities, the Indian consulate, and the government of Telangana.

In the wake of their release, SV Reddy expressed profound gratitude on behalf of the men and their families, acknowledging the instrumental role played by all stakeholders in securing their freedom. Their saga serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring human spirit, resilience in the face of adversity, and the redemptive power of collective action in pursuit of justice and reconciliation.