By Imran Mojib

THE 17 Indians, who were awarded death sentence by the Sharia Court of Sharjah for killing a Pakistani national, have pleaded not guilty as hearing started in the Appeal Court of Sharjah on Wednesday.

All the accused rejected the charges levelled against them, which were read out for their benefit with the help of a Punjabi-Arabic interpreter.

They rejected the charge levelled against them that they had a brawl with Pakistani national Masri Khan and his friends, in which Masri Khan was killed and four others got injured.

They also rejected the charge that they were involved in the illegal business of liquor.

When asked about their confessions at the Sharia Court, they said there was no question of confessing a crime, because they were never questioned in the court.

They told the presiding judge that they were not told about the charges till the third hearing in the Sharia Court, when they came to know that they have been facing the charges of murdering a Pakistani.

Due to the extraordinary nature of the judgement, it was challenged in the Court of Appeal, Sharjah, where it was reopened on May 19. However, the proceedings got postponed again and again due to non-availability of an interpreter who could speak Arabic (language of the court) and Punjabi (mother tongue of the 17 accused) and one who was also authorised by the Ministry of Justice.

There was growing concern as the delay had only added to the anxiety of the accused, their relatives and well-wishers, which has led to talk about an out-of-court settlement by paying Diya, the blood money.

However, Wednesday was a calm day, as relatives of eight of the accused attended the proceedings.

Later talking to the media the relatives expressed satisfaction over the treatment the jail authorities have meted out to the accused.

“We were quite apprehensive as we came across the news of physical torture in the jail. But we were relieved after meeting them on Tuesday,” said Ranjit Kaur, wife of Dharampal Singh, one of the 17 accused.

She appreciated SP Singh of Indian Punjabi Society in the UAE for arranging the visit of the eight family members, adding that the visit will put all rumours to rest.

Balraj Singh, father of another accused Harvinder Singh, also expressed satisfaction over the treatment meted out to the accused in the jail. He also expressed his confidence in the judicial system and affirmed that the 17 accused would get a fair trial.

“My son was arrested from the Sharjah airport while going to board a flight to India, although he has nothing to do with the said crime. At the time of the crime, he was on duty. The management of the company he was employed with has also given a written confirmation to this effect,” he said.Rana Gurmit Sodhi, veteran politician and Member of the Legislative Assembly of Punjab, who led the visiting team of the relatives of the accused, also expressed satisfaction over the legal aid provided to the accused and the support extended by the community members in the UAE.