<p>Meerut: A court in Saudi Arabia has sentenced a man from Meerut in Uttar Pradesh to death on charges of drug trafficking, triggering panic and despair among his family members who have pleaded for clemency.</p><p>Meerut Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Vipin Tada on Wednesday confirmed receiving a letter in this regard from the Indian consulate in Saudi Arabia via the district administration.</p>.India working with UAE, Saudi Arabia to add momentum to IMEEC amid conflicts.<p>"The letter said Zaid Junaid, a resident of Rachauti village under the Mundali police station area, has been sentenced to death by a court in Mecca for drug smuggling. His family members have been informed about the option of filing a mercy plea," the SSP said.</p><p>A notice was also pasted at the entrance of the family house to ensure they were aware of the situation.</p><p>Zaid's father Zubair, a farmer, and mother Rehana became inconsolable on hearing the news.</p><p>His elder brother Suhail said, "My father has already requested the Indian government to file a mercy plea with the Saudi authorities. The application was submitted on Tuesday."</p><p>Aged around 35 and the second of seven brothers, Zaid moved to Saudi Arabia in 2018 to work as a driver for a company.</p><p>Initially employed by one firm, he later joined Al-Zafar Company, his family members said.</p><p>His troubles began when his vehicle was stolen, and was recovered by Saudi police three days later. Subsequently, the vehicle got damaged in a road accident, leading his employer to file a lawsuit to recover the costs.</p><p>Unable to bear the financial burden, Zaid left the company and began working as the personal driver for a Saudi police officer, the family said.</p><p>However, three months into his new job, Zaid was allegedly implicated in a drug smuggling case after police claimed to have found 700 gm of narcotics from the vehicle he was driving, the family said.</p><p>He was arrested on January 15, 2023, and has been imprisoned at the Jeddah Central Jail since then.</p><p>"My brother has been framed. He was just doing his job as a driver. We hope the Indian government intervenes and saves his life," Suhail said.</p><p>Zaid's father Zubair said, "We've never faced such trouble before. All we want now is Zaid to return alive."</p><p>Another elder brother of Zaid, Naeem Khan Faisal, who also works as a driver in Saudi Arabia, is in touch with the family to the coordinate efforts for his release.</p>
<p>Meerut: A court in Saudi Arabia has sentenced a man from Meerut in Uttar Pradesh to death on charges of drug trafficking, triggering panic and despair among his family members who have pleaded for clemency.</p><p>Meerut Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Vipin Tada on Wednesday confirmed receiving a letter in this regard from the Indian consulate in Saudi Arabia via the district administration.</p>.India working with UAE, Saudi Arabia to add momentum to IMEEC amid conflicts.<p>"The letter said Zaid Junaid, a resident of Rachauti village under the Mundali police station area, has been sentenced to death by a court in Mecca for drug smuggling. His family members have been informed about the option of filing a mercy plea," the SSP said.</p><p>A notice was also pasted at the entrance of the family house to ensure they were aware of the situation.</p><p>Zaid's father Zubair, a farmer, and mother Rehana became inconsolable on hearing the news.</p><p>His elder brother Suhail said, "My father has already requested the Indian government to file a mercy plea with the Saudi authorities. The application was submitted on Tuesday."</p><p>Aged around 35 and the second of seven brothers, Zaid moved to Saudi Arabia in 2018 to work as a driver for a company.</p><p>Initially employed by one firm, he later joined Al-Zafar Company, his family members said.</p><p>His troubles began when his vehicle was stolen, and was recovered by Saudi police three days later. Subsequently, the vehicle got damaged in a road accident, leading his employer to file a lawsuit to recover the costs.</p><p>Unable to bear the financial burden, Zaid left the company and began working as the personal driver for a Saudi police officer, the family said.</p><p>However, three months into his new job, Zaid was allegedly implicated in a drug smuggling case after police claimed to have found 700 gm of narcotics from the vehicle he was driving, the family said.</p><p>He was arrested on January 15, 2023, and has been imprisoned at the Jeddah Central Jail since then.</p><p>"My brother has been framed. He was just doing his job as a driver. We hope the Indian government intervenes and saves his life," Suhail said.</p><p>Zaid's father Zubair said, "We've never faced such trouble before. All we want now is Zaid to return alive."</p><p>Another elder brother of Zaid, Naeem Khan Faisal, who also works as a driver in Saudi Arabia, is in touch with the family to the coordinate efforts for his release.</p>