News: P A Hameed Padubidri, Saudi Arabia
Daijiworld Media Network - Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia, May 16: The family of Lohitaksha Devadiga ( 51) are in intense sorrow and have spent sleepless nights eversince he was imprisoned for his inability to pay the huge fine imposed by Dammam Court here.
The Court ordered him to pay damages of Saudi Riyals 80,000 (around ten Lac Indian rupees) after he met with an accident in his heavy vehicle while he was discharging his employer’s duty.
Lohitaksha basically hails from Derebail-Konchady, Mangalore. Holding a Saudi residence permit (Iqama) no. 2047500596, he had been working as a crane operator since 15 years in a Block & Tiles Company in Dammam, the eastern province of Saudi Arabia. He was very efficient and earnest in discharging his duty having a clean track record without any sort of mishaps.
But unfortunately, an accident took place when he was operating the crane in September 2009. It was alleged that the accident caused damage to the employer’s property though there was no harm to the lives of individuals. It’s worthwhile to note that he was successful in preventing injuries and casualties to others in the vicinity.
The police authorities took him under custody and charged him with the case of damage to the crane. In January 2010, the case was decided in Dammam Court and found him liable to pay the required sum of money as damages. His sponsor was neither kind nor helpful to get him out of the tight spot, insisting for the decreed amount despite Lohitaksha’s long services under his sponsorship. He remained in Dammam jail for eight months as he was unable to pay the amount.
Speaking to P A Hameed, advocate and Daijiworld correspondent from Saudi, Rajani, daughter of Lohitaksha said, "I contacted my father’s employer directly over telephone, but it was of no use as he was demanding for the said amount to be paid which is unaffordable for us and he was not in position to hear our grievances at all finally, he severed the call”.
She further informed that her mother was hospitalized recently due to the increased tension related to her fathe and around five lac were spent for her medical treatment. "The doctor advised us to bring my father back which would help in her recovery from mental distress. Further, my sister’s scheduled marriage was also cancelled due to this; we are really in utter shock and hardship as we are helpless to deal this case directly with the concerned authorities”, Rajani added.
She urged various social organizations in Saudi Arabia including other gulf countries to help her father. Besides, she petitioned to the Indian Embassy in Riyadh requesting it to actively involve in the issue. Though the Indian Embassy approached the employer, there was no fruitful result from them to comfort the hapless family. Instead, their response was said to have been dispiriting to the family as well as the whole Mangalorean community. Organizations like MASA in Dammam-Khobar and other associations, social workers in the Kingdom including UAE Kannadigas under the leadership of Sarvotham Shetty, are working hard on the matter.
Lohitaksha’s family has now been worrying about his condition in the jail as he is a patient of hypertension. His wife got bedridden because of her worry being snowballed every day. They are spending their sleepless nights without knowing what to do next. If at all, the decreed money has to be paid unless his employer doesn’t relinquish it, then they cannot afford to pay such huge amount. They are, in fact, inevitable to seek financial helps from social organizations, philanthropists, donors and others in the gulf countries and other parts of the world.
Hence Daijiworld requests the readers to extend a helping hand. Indian foreign minister, S M Krishna, law minister, M Veerappa Moily among other laeders are requested to discuss about the case with Saudi authorities and help to set free Lohitaksha from prison.
The only ray of hope for Lohitakhsa's family is help from generous people.