Kerala   

Jailed Kerala couple returns

Nedumbassery: Roy Joseph and Biji Roy, the couple from Kerala who spent nearly two and a half years in a Saudi Arabian jail on charge of murdering a Nepali house maid, Durgalakshmi, were released from jail on Saturday after paying a compensation of one lakh Saudi riyal to the kin of the deceased.

The couple arrived at the Cochin International Airport in a Saudi Airline flight in the morning and was received by anxious family members, friends and a contingent of mediapersons.

“I want to thank my friends Sunny, Jos Thomas, James and all others who took great efforts to initiate our release from the jail,” said an elated Mr. Joseph to the mediapersons.

He also said that though all the cases against them were settled three months ago, the authorities held back Ms Roy’s passport for some more time which led to the delay in returning home.

Earlier, in a touching scene at the immigration hall, Albert and Kessia, the twin children of the Roy couple, even failed to recognise their parents whom they had not seen for the past two and a half years.

Mr. Joseph from Elanji in Ernakulam district, an architect at Binladin Construction Company, and his wife, a nurse at Khalid University Hospital in Riyadh, had employed a Nepali woman, who was said to have run away from her original sponsor. However, she was found murdered on July 7, 2006. A mobile phone and a bunch of keys belonging to Mr. Joseph were found on her person.

Though the murder case was settled amicably in a discussion between the Indian and Nepal embassies on the direction of a Shari-ath court in Saudi Arabia, they had to serve a term of two years in a jail in Riyadh for employing an illegal immigrant. Besides, their work visa to the country has also been cancelled.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

IT Act being amended
Plantation sector workers’ wages up
An investigative drama film Review
Sri Krishna Jayanti celebration
Campus Notes
Alternative school teachers facing neglect
Celebrating Sri Krishna jayanti
Little devotees
Isaac alleges deal with palm oil lobby
Onam: A Season to Splurge
QRS’ mega Onam scheme a mega success
Thousands participate in Ashtamirohini feast
Safeguarding public interests should be given priority
Next issue
Sri Krishna Jayanti
In memory
Jailed Kerala couple returns
March of tradition
State to get two more defence units
Satyabhama given Guruvayurappan prize

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu