Saudi pays blood money to Lankan accident victim’s kin

Mohammed RASOOLDEEN in Saudi Arabia

HAIL: A Saudi philanthropist walked into a courtroom in Hail on Saturday and paid the blood money to the next-of-kin of a Sri Lankan worker killed by an Indian worker in a road accident two years ago.

“I am paying this blood money not only to help the Indian worker who is serving a seven-year imprisonment but also to assist the bereaved family back home in Sri Lanka to continue their normal life without its breadwinner,” the Saudi philanthropist told the judge while offering the blood money of SR 50,000 on behalf of the accused.

The good Samaritan who wished to remain anonymous said: “I am doing this for the sake of Allah whose rewards are bountiful. I am not expecting any name or fame in this world.”

The mishap occurred on June 26, 2005 when Shaheer Hussain, an Indian driver from the state of Bihar, overran Mohamed Varsai Aliyar 53, while crossing the road.

On evidence submitted by the Hail traffic police, the court presided over by Sheikh Eisa Ibn Abdullah Al Matroodi held that Aliyar and the driver were jointly responsible for the misfortune.

Accordingly, the court asked the driver to pay only SR 50,000, half of the standard blood money of SR 100,000 offered to the next of kin of the deceased.

The judge handed over the blood money due to the next-of-kin of the deceased to W.S.M.S Wijesundera, deputy chief of mission of the Sri Lankan Embassy. Aliyar is survived by three children and wife.

The embassy will hand over the money to the deceased’s wife Meera Mohaideen Awwa Umma.

“I was really amazed at the magnanimity of the Saudi philanthropist who neither knows the accused nor the deceased. Thanks to the Shariah law which rescued the traffic violator and helped the bereaved family with a substantial sum to continue their life happily without its sole breadwinner,” the diplomat said.

Wijesundera assisted by his mission’s interpreter Mohammed Zackariyah during the court proceedings, told Arab News that he made several futile attempts to contact Indian community groups and the mission to rescue the Indian driver who had already spent two years in jail in Hail.”

There was no positive response from any quarters and finally this Saudi benefactor came to the rescue of the parties involved,” he said.

While complementing the Shariah laws in the Kingdom, the diplomat pointed out that the case was settled under private rights clause of the Islamic law.

He also thanked the Saudi donor who voluntarily came forward to help the parties.

“The Saudi philanthropist will not only get the blessings of God but also the prayers of the two afflicted families because of the unforeseen incident,” Wijesundera added.