Abdul Rahim, from Kozhikode, Kerala, arrived in Saudi Arabia in 2006 to work as a driver.
However, his duties soon changed, and he was assigned to care for a 16-year-old Saudi boy with physical disabilities who relied on a life support system. Just 26 days after arriving, while travelling by car with the boy, they came to a red light.
The boy reportedly pressured Abdul to run the red light, but Abdul refused. The situation escalated into a struggle, and during the commotion, Abdul’s actions unintentionally disconnected the boy’s life support. The boy lost consciousness, causing Abdul to panic.
Following his imprisonment, a legal battle ensued in the Saudi courts. The Abdul Rahim Legal Aid Forum, established in Saudi Arabia, took up Abdul’s case and pursued a pardon. In October 2023, the Forum secured a pardon from the victim’s family, but it was conditional upon the payment of Diya (blood money) amounting to approximately 15 million Saudi Riyals.
The deadline for this payment was April 16.
Before launching the crowdfunding campaign, the Trust meticulously obtained all necessary legal approvals from the Indian government’s Finance Ministry, Reserve Bank of India, and the Income Tax department. “Transparency was paramount,” explained Majid.
“We ensured compliance with all regulations, and this focus on transparency led us to consider purchasing an online fundraising app,” he added.
