Full Breakdown
Abdul Rahim Returns to Kerala After Two Decades on Saudi Death Row
5/28/2026, 11:40:40 PM
Core Event: Release and Eid-time Return
On the morning of May 26 2024, Abdul Rahim, a former autorickshaw driver from Feroke, Kozhikode, landed at Kozhikode airport after a 20-year imprisonment in Saudi Arabia. His release coincided with the Eid Al-Adha celebrations, turning the occasion into a public reunion for his family and a symbolic end to a “death-row nightmare.”
Background & Context: 2006 Incident and Legal Journey
The case began on 24 December 2006 when a breathing-support device attached to his employer’s son became detached while Rahim was driving. The son, described as a differently-abled teenager, died in the incident. Rahim was arrested in Riyadh 28 days after arriving in Saudi Arabia and was sentenced to death in 2011. Subsequent legal reviews reduced the sentence to a 20-year term after the victim’s family agreed to accept Diyya (blood money).
Key Figures & Groups: Individuals and Communities Involved
- Abdul Rahim – Kozhikode native, the detainee.
- Victim’s family – Employers of Rahim, whose consent to Diyya enabled sentence reduction.
- Keralite expatriate community – Mobilised NGOs, workers, and diaspora groups to raise the required compensation.
- Saudi authorities – Courts that altered the sentence, immigration officials who issued the exit visa, and officials who nullified the execution order upon receipt of compensation.
- Indian diplomatic representatives – Coordinated the exit clearance and ensured Rahim’s safe transit.
Data & Statistics: Timeline, Financials, and Sentencing
- Incident date: 24 Dec 2006.
- Arrest: Early 2007, 28 days after arrival in Saudi Arabia.
- Death sentence: 2011, later upheld before reduction.
- Reduced sentence: 20 years, concluding on 26 May 2024.
- Blood-money (Diyya) demanded: Rs 34 crore (? US $4.1 million).
- Fundraising outcome: Rs 30 crore raised in four days, with the remaining Rs 4 crore secured before the deadline, meeting the full Rs 34 crore target.
Official Statements & Responses: Judicial and Diplomatic Actions
Saudi courts announced the sentence reduction after the victim’s relatives accepted the Diyya. Saudi officials subsequently nullified the execution order, stating that the compensation satisfied the legal requirement for clemency. Indian diplomatic channels, in collaboration with community leaders, facilitated the issuance of an exit visa, enabling Rahim’s departure from the Kingdom.
On-the-Ground Reports: Airport Reception and Family Reunion
Witnesses described “emotional scenes” at Kozhikode airport as Rahim’s mother embraced her son after decades of separation, a reunion previously limited to video calls. The arrival was celebrated by local residents and expatriate volunteers who had contributed to the fundraising effort.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps: Discrepancies and Missing Details
The victim’s age is reported inconsistently: one source cites a 17-year-old, while another describes a 14-year-old differently-abled son. No direct statements from the victim’s family are provided, and official commentary on the fundraising mechanisms remains limited.
What’s Next: Anticipated Arrival Before Eid Al-Adha and Reintegration
Rahim is expected to reach his hometown before the Eid Al-Adha holiday, allowing a full family reunion. Authorities have not disclosed any post-release monitoring or support programs, leaving his reintegration into Kerala society largely dependent on community assistance.
