The 10 Punjabi youths convicted in Dubai for killing Mohammad Faran of Peshawar might escape the gallows.
The victim’s family has agreed to accept blood money.
Mr Faran was killed on July 5, 2015, following a quarrel over bootlegging.
In December last year, the court allowed a petition moved by SPS Oberoi, chairman of NGO Sarbat Da Bhala Trust, to save the lives of the youths by paying blood money that is allowed under Islamic law.
Dubai-based businessman Mr Oberoi is now in process of arranging the blood money.
While speaking to SBS Radio, Mr Oberoi has provided an update on yesterday’s court proceedings at Dubai.
The Al Ain court in Dubai initially charged 11 Punjabi youths. Out of them, 10 were convicted for murder and one was turned to a witness.
They were Satminder Singh of Barnala, Chander Shekhar of Nawasher, Chamkaur Singh of Malerkotla, Kulwinder Singh, Balwinder Kumar and Dharamvir Singh of Ludhiana, Harjinder Singh of Mohali, Tarsem Singh of Amritsar, Gurpreet Singh of Patiala and Jagjit Singh of Gurdaspur.
SPS Oberoi, the chairman of Apex Group of Companies told SBS that the blood money agreement is in final stages.
“Our lawyer has submitted the power of attorney and the consent of Mohammad Faran’s family,” said Mr Oberoi.
“I am willing to help these families by all means. These convicts have learned their lesson by spending a fair bit of time in the prison.”
“I am against death sentence. In fact, it is not only them but their loved ones.”
“Most of them are from poor families who left their home country to earn bread and butter for their families. So I am here to try helping these families who are suffering in this case,” said Mr Oberoi.
SBS has also spoken to one of the affected families who are extremely thankful to Mr Oberoi for his efforts to release these prisoners.
Jagtar Singh, the father of Satminder Singh, a Punjabi youth on death row told SBS that the family was too poor to offer the blood money.
“The much needed help is provided by Mr Oberoi. We have no word to say thanks. May God bless him with health and wealth,” said Mr Singh.
This is not the first time that Mr Oberoi has come forward to help the Indian prisoners.
In 2012, Mr Oberoi paid approx USD 1.8 million to secure the release of 58 Indians from the Death Sentence & Life Time Imprisonment.
Mr. Oberoi paid the Air tickets of more than 800 prisoners (who completed their punishment but due to lack to funds couldn’t go back to their country) & sent them back with the help of Indian Consulate.
In 2013, to secure the recent release of 17 Indian youngsters he paid approx USD 1.2 million.
While talking about his NGO Sarbat Da Bhala Charitable Trust, Mr Oberoi told SBS that they are dedicated to social-economic transformation of rural and remote areas of India especially in Punjab.
"We work for the weaker and socially underprivileged groups, through physical, social, cultural and economic development of rural people, groups and institutions," said Mr Oberoi.
S.P.Singh Oberoi speaks about the welfare activities of NGO Sarbat Da Bhala Trust
