After 22 months in Saudi jail for objectionable social media comment, Indian worker from Nizamabad returns home

HYDERABAD: A 27-year-old worker from Nizamabad who suffered 22 months in prison for allegedly making an objectionable comment on social media in Saudi Arabia has returned home. “Life in the Saudi jail was hell. I never thought I would survive it to return home,” ChennaRakesh told the media on his arrival home on Tuesday in Nizamabad.

Though he was to serve a five-year prison term, a pardon was sought from the complainant following which the jail term was reduced.Gulf Telangana Welfare and Cultural Association president PatkuriBasanth Reddy told the media the help of an advocate from Dubai was taken to explain to the kafil(employer) who had made the complaint that Rakesh had regretted his comments and was seeking his pardon.
Rakesh’s mother ChennaRamadevi said the advocate came to their house and took all the details from them to represent the issue. Basanth Reddy also took Ramadevi and her family members to Delhi where representations were given to the Prime Minister’s Office and Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
“We are thankful to the PMO for the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia for pursing the issue,” Basanth Reddy said. He said there were hundreds of Indians, including those from the Telugu states who were suffering in jails due to various reasons. He urged the government to make a plea to the Saudi Arabian government to sanction pardon and release Indian prisoners.
Rakesh, a resident of Perkit village in Armoormandal of Nizamabad, went to Saudi Arabia as a driver three years ago. When he made certain remarks on social media, his employer filed a case against him following which he was jailed in Damam. “There were days when I could not sleep in the jail. I would hardly be able to eat. I never imagine I would come out alive from the jail,” Rakesh who worked as a driver, said.