Telangana Man Jailed in Saudi Arabia Over Rs 84 Lakh Blood Money Demand

The family of a 22-year-old man from Telangana has appealed to the government and public representatives for assistance after he was jailed in Saudi Arabia following a fatal road accident. The appeal was raised at the Pravasi Prajavani programme in Hyderabad by his wife, who is seeking support to arrange approximately Rs 84 lakh in blood money required for his release.

Shravan Kumar, a resident of Kummanpally village in Salura mandal of Bodhan constituency in Nizamabad district, moved to Riyadh after his marriage to support his family. In Saudi Arabia, he was employed as an ambulance driver for a private medical research company.

On May 6, 2024, the ambulance driven by Shravan met with an accident in Riyadh. A local couple died in the collision, while their two children sustained serious injuries. Following the incident, Saudi police took Shravan into custody.

A Saudi court subsequently convicted Shravan in connection with the crash and directed him to pay 3.30 lakh Saudi riyals as blood money to the family of the deceased victims. The penalty translates to roughly Rs 84 lakh. Under local legal procedures, Shravan can only be released from prison once the full compensation amount is paid to the victims' family.

Shravan has now been lodged in a Saudi Arabian prison for two years. His family in Telangana has stated that they are completely unable to raise the mandated sum. His elderly parents, Kummari Ramaiah and Rajamani, have been working as daily-wage labourers to make ends meet.

His wife, Mamata, who is currently caring for their infant child, has been actively seeking intervention from elected leaders and authorities. She submitted formal petitions to Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar, as well as Members of Parliament and Members of Legislative Council representing Nizamabad and Jagtial districts.

During her appearance at the Pravasi Prajavani programme in Hyderabad, Mamata appealed directly to the state government, elected public representatives, and philanthropists to help arrange the necessary financial resources to secure her husband's release and return to India.