Real Kerala Story: Crowdfunding Raises Rs 34 Crore Blood Money To Save Man On Death Row In Saudi
Keralites from across the world have successfully raised Rs 34.4 crore to save the life of a fellow citizen, a death row prisoner who had been in a Saudi jail for the past 18 years.
The money pooled by ordinary citizens, celebrities, businessmen and philanthropists will be used to pay the blood money to save the life of Abdul Rahim, a native of Kozhikode in Kerala.
Why was Abdul Rahim jailed?
41-year-old Rahim, who was working as a driver and caretaker of a boy on life support in Riyadh landed in trouble after his 'accidental death'.
The 15-year-old died after Rahim accidentally ended up removing his breathing device while trying to quieten him, as he was driving. This, unfortunately, resulted in the death of the boy.
The incident happened in 2006 and Rahim had been in a Saudi jail ever since.
In 2018, a court in Saudi Arabia sentenced him for murder and the appeal court upheld this verdict in 2022, a decision later confirmed by the country¡¯s Supreme Court.
Victim's family agrees on blood money
However, after numerous discussions, the Saudi family agreed to pardon Rahim in exchange for blood money of 15 million Saudi Riyals which comes to around Rs 34 crore, to be paid before April 18.
This was an amount the family of Rahim could not afford and some well-wishers started a crowdfunding campaign in March.
Rs 5 crore raised in a month
Until last week the campaign had only managed to raise Rs 5 crores, a fraction of the amount required to save Rahim's life.
But things changed earlier this week after the campaign picked up momentum on social media.
Businessman leads the donation drive
Maverick businessman and philanthropist Boby Chemmanur who himself donated Rs 1 crore also travelled across the state urging others to chip in.
And in a matter of days, the amount was raised to secure the release of Rahim.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan congratulated the efforts and said it was the "Real Kerala Story" of compassion and truth.
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