₹34 Crore Crowdfunding Ends Kerala Man’s Death Row Ordeal

The family and friends of Abdul Rahim, who spent nearly two decades in a Saudi Arabian prison and narrowly escaped execution after a massive public crowdfunding campaign, received him warmly, when he returned to his home in Kerala. Incidentally, his return during Bakrid added to the emotional atmosphere.

His relatives and family greeted Rahim when he landed at Karipur airport in Kozhikode, and he became emotional on seeing them after his return to India. It is worth noting that businessman Boby Chemmanur, CMD of Boby Chemmanur International Group, was among those who received Rahim at the airport. Chemmanur is known for his business acumen, charity and philanthropic activities.

Then Rahim left for his hometown to meet his mother, who has been waiting for him for almost 20 years. Rahim’s neighbours and other family members rejoiced in the celebrations that erupted on his return.

On reaching home, Rahim embraced his mother and both of them hugged each other after years of separation.

In 2006, Rahim had travelled to Saudi Arabia in search of a livelihood and then lodged in a jail for allegedly causing the accidental death of a specially-abled Saudi boy under his care.

In 2018, a Saudi court sentenced him to death after the boy’s family refused to grant amnesty. However, he could find some hope in ‘blood money’ provision under Saudi law, as part of which the victim’s family would sanction pardon to the accused in exchange of financial compensation. Accordingly, Rahim was required to pay 15 million Saudi Riyals, Rs 34 crore, before April 2024, a deadline imposed by the court.

The money needed by Rahim led to Kerala’s biggest crowdfunding efforts. People from across the state, including ordinary citizens, businessmen, social groups and abroad donated for the cause and the money got pooled in just four days.

As the money was paid, Rahim was released from the death row, and the legal battle also ended. After returning home, Rahim thanked all those who contributed for the crowdfunding campaign and his well-wishers, who made it possible for him to meet his mother again.