Representative image for death sentence.
Credit: iStock Photo
Thiruvanathapuram: The efforts of the families of two Malayali NRIs to save them from the death sentence in the UAE went in vain as the death sentences were executed.
Muraleedharan, a native of Podavur at Cheemeni in Kasargod district, and Muhammed Rinash of Kunnoth near Thalassery in Kannur district were sentenced in UAE.
While 43-year-old Muraleedharan was convicted in the murder of another Malayali, 28-year-old Rinash was convicted for the murder of a UAE national.
Muraleedran's family, comprising father Kesavan, mother Janakai and younger brother Mukesh, are in Kasargod. His younger sister got married. So far the family has no plans to go to the UAE for the funeral.
Muraleedharan left the UAE in 2006 for a job, and thereafter he could not even visit home once. In 2009 he landed in police custody for the murder of a native of Tirur in Malappuram district.
Kesavan, who was also working aboard, had met his son in the prison. The family made many efforts to secure a pardon from the family of the deceased NRI. They had to even sell some properties to raise funds. But all those efforts went in vain.
"Since 2009 we have been making efforts to save him. We had also approached the Kerala government for help. But there was no relief. A few days back, Muraleedharan called us and informed us about the execution of the sentence, Kesavan told a section of mthe edia.
As the news of their son's sentence spread and more people started turning up, the family requested privacy.
"The family is obviously shattered over the death sentence of Muraleedharan. They are not in a position to speak to anyone now," local panchayat ward member Shobhana V K, who was with the family, told DH over phone.
The family made all out efforts and had even sold some of their properties as part of the efforts to secure a pardon for Muraleedharan, she added.
It could be learnt that it was a murder for gain case, and the family of the deceased was not willing to give pardon.
Meanwhile, the house of Rinash near Thalassery was lying closed on Thursday. It is believed that his mother Laila and two of her sons are in the UAE.
Rinash was convicted for murdering an UAE national at Al Ain inFebruary 2023y, hardly two years after he entered a job in a travel agency. Rinash reportedly stabbed the UAE national following a scuffle.
The family had given representations to the UAE rulers, the Indian government and the Kerala government. But the efforts went in vain as the family of the deceased was not willing for pardon.