<p>The development brings the possibility of their being released and returned home nearer, with the judge setting a September 12 date for giving a verdict in the case.<br /><br />Dubai-based businessman S P Singh Oberoi deposited the money on behalf of the Indian community as compensation in the Sharjah Appeals Court hearing the case of the 2009 murder.<br /><br />The development came during the 16th hearing of the case, with Rs 40.47 million (3.39 million dirhams) being submitted as the blood money.<br /><br />According to the office of the Consulate General of India here, a representative of the deceased named Ramadan, signed the 'Tanazul' or release document which was then accepted by the judge.<br /><br />"The process of a mutually agreeable understanding led by the Indian community, in particular, S P Singh Oberoi, reached a closure today. The Hon'ble Judge Abdullah Al Shamsi has now convened the court on September 12, 2011 to deliver a judgement in this matter," a statement from the Consulate General said.<br /><br />"Today's developments in the Sharjah Appeals Court were the most significant since April 2010 when the appeal process was initiated by the Government of India-appointed defence lawyers," it said.<br /><br />Speaking to PTI earlier, Oberoi had said that he had already submitted a portion of this money at a previous hearing. "We first persuaded the victim's family through Ramadan into accepting compensation, which was critical to this case," he said. <br /><br />"Once that agreement was reached, we just had to arrange for the remaining amount of money to be produced in court," Oberoi said.<br /><br />In March last year, the 17 Indians were found guilty of beating Pakistani national Misri Khan to death.<br /><br />The 17 men held – 16 from Punjab and one from Haryana – would still have to serve time in jail, but a lawyer said they may be released soon as they have already spent more than 26 months in prison.</p>
<p>The development brings the possibility of their being released and returned home nearer, with the judge setting a September 12 date for giving a verdict in the case.<br /><br />Dubai-based businessman S P Singh Oberoi deposited the money on behalf of the Indian community as compensation in the Sharjah Appeals Court hearing the case of the 2009 murder.<br /><br />The development came during the 16th hearing of the case, with Rs 40.47 million (3.39 million dirhams) being submitted as the blood money.<br /><br />According to the office of the Consulate General of India here, a representative of the deceased named Ramadan, signed the 'Tanazul' or release document which was then accepted by the judge.<br /><br />"The process of a mutually agreeable understanding led by the Indian community, in particular, S P Singh Oberoi, reached a closure today. The Hon'ble Judge Abdullah Al Shamsi has now convened the court on September 12, 2011 to deliver a judgement in this matter," a statement from the Consulate General said.<br /><br />"Today's developments in the Sharjah Appeals Court were the most significant since April 2010 when the appeal process was initiated by the Government of India-appointed defence lawyers," it said.<br /><br />Speaking to PTI earlier, Oberoi had said that he had already submitted a portion of this money at a previous hearing. "We first persuaded the victim's family through Ramadan into accepting compensation, which was critical to this case," he said. <br /><br />"Once that agreement was reached, we just had to arrange for the remaining amount of money to be produced in court," Oberoi said.<br /><br />In March last year, the 17 Indians were found guilty of beating Pakistani national Misri Khan to death.<br /><br />The 17 men held – 16 from Punjab and one from Haryana – would still have to serve time in jail, but a lawyer said they may be released soon as they have already spent more than 26 months in prison.</p>