In a poignant tale of perseverance and redemption, five Indian men hailing from the state of Telangana found themselves reunited with their families after enduring an arduous 18-year ordeal behind bars in Dubai. Once confined within the confines of a foreign prison, their journey culminated in tearful embraces and joyous reunions as they touched down at Hyderabad airport on February 20.
Originally inhabitants of the Rajanna Sircilla district, Shivarathri Mallesh, Shivarathri Ravi, Gollem Nampally, Dundugula Laxman, and Shivarathri Hanmanthu had ventured to Dubai seeking livelihood as construction workers, only to find themselves entangled in a tragic turn of events. An altercation with a Nepalese security guard in 2005 spiraled out of control, resulting in an unintended fatality, plunging the men into a legal quagmire.
SV Reddy, the convenor of the Telangana Gulf NRI cell, shed light on the unfortunate incident, attributing the fatal outcome to a momentary lapse exacerbated by circumstances. Initially handed a 10-year sentence, their fate took a dire twist when an appeal elongated their incarceration to a staggering 25 years.
Yet, amidst the darkness of their confinement, rays of hope emerged. Through the concerted efforts of social advocates, the Indian Consulate, and the Telangana government, the wheels of justice began to turn in their favor. A minister from Telangana undertook a compassionate mission, extending olive branches to both the aggrieved family and the local authorities in Dubai, seeking reconciliation and clemency.
On February 18, the shackles of imprisonment were finally cast aside as the five men walked out of their cells, their path to freedom paved by diplomatic intervention and unwavering determination. Equipped with white passports courtesy of the Indian consulate, they embarked on a journey homeward, leaving behind the shadows of their past.
Gratitude echoed in Reddy’s words as he expressed heartfelt appreciation to the UAE authorities, the Indian consulate, and the Telangana government for their pivotal roles in orchestrating this tale of redemption. For these five men, the skies of hope have cleared, offering them a second chance at life amidst the warm embrace of their loved ones.
