Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (MS/HB)
Udupi, Aug 20: “Culprits who were responsible for my imprisonment in Saudi Arabia for one year and nine months, though I was innocent, should be severely punished by the court. One more innocent person like me should not be punished in Saudi Arabia for no reason. The accused who created a fake Facebook account in my name are roaming around freely on bail. But I will fight the legal battle till they are punished. No influence works in Saudi Arabia. The people who hatched a plot against me are in prison. I have been released only because of legal fight and truth,” said Harish Bangera who was accused of blasphemy and imprisoned in Saudi Arabia and released recently.
Bangera was speaking at the press conference in the press club here in the city. He further said, “After the said incident, I have spent one year and nine months lonely in prison without contact with the outside world. Mentally, I have suffered a lot of pain. I could not send any money to my family for two years. I was rusticated from work after my arrest. The company did not give me gratuity for six months also. Even after I was found that I am innocent, I was not paid any compensation. My two mobile phones are with the prison officials in Saudi Arabia. Even now, I do not have a single penny with me. There is no plan of going to Saudi Arabia in future. My wife, family members, friends and organizations have helped in my release.
“Three months got wasted in registering a cybercrime case, police investigation and Covid. Later, SP Nisha James took my case seriously and started acting. I do not know the brothers who created a fake Facebook account in my name. The sad part is that our Indians hatched a plot against me. I have been literally snatched away from the jaws of death.”
Giving details of the ordeal, Sumana, wife of Harish Bangera said, “We lived in tears. We have experienced a lot of pain. As this was cybercrime, technically it was difficult. Right from the day Harish was arrested till date I have fought the legal battle. Ravindranath Shanbhogue, president of Human Rights Foundation put pressure on the Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia and helped a lot. The culprits were arrested based on a number that was found in Google mail. On May 2, 2021 I got a call saying that my husband is pronounced as innocent and he will be released. But the mind was tense till I saw him physically in our land. The accused have created a fake account in my husband’s name and have written derogatory comments about their own religion. We will not rest until the accused are punished.”
Lokesh Ankadakatte, member of Koteshwara gram panchayat said, “Many people have joined their hands with us in this battle for truth. The Masa organization of Mangaluru provided the flight ticket. Jai Bhargava team, Abhimata team, Joyson Lewis of Udupi origin, Jalal and Mudassar from Mumbai and Sukesh Shetty, who works for Indonesian Embassy also helped a lot. This victory is for the legal battle. This will continue in the future also.”