1. Home
  2. After prolonged plight in Saudi Arabia, Fairoza Banu finally reaches Karnataka

After prolonged plight in Saudi Arabia, Fairoza Banu finally reaches Karnataka

coastaldigest.com news network
June 22, 2021

Fairozabanu.jpg

Riyadh/ Bengaluru, June 22: After rigorous efforts by P A Hameed Padubidri, Riyadh based pro-bono lawyer, social worker and Saleem Kodangalluru Kerala, a social worker based in AlQurayath, and Yasin Kalaburgi, social worker, based in Dammam, for more than a month, finally Fairoza Banu, who was in Sakakah and then in AlQurayat, northern parts of Saudi Arabia, touched down in Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru on Saturday (19/06/2021). She reached her hometown Davanagere, Karnataka safely. Her relatives warmly welcomed her in the Airport after two years. 

She, along with another woman from Tumakuru, Sabiha Khan, was brought to the KSA on visit visa by one Saad Rahil Mukhlef Al-Anazi in AlQurayat 2 and 3 years ago respectively. A Mumbai visa agent with the assistance of the duo's relatives in Davanagere arranged the visa for Sa'ad Al-Anazi. As such, Sabiha & Fairoza Banu had landed in King Abdulaziz International Airport in August 2018 and August 2019 respectively and then they reached AlQurayath on the same day.   

The problems started when the sponsor (Kafeel) tried to send Fairoza Banu and Sabiha to another family's houses and they were forced to work as housemaids for others by the Kafeel. Inevitably, they had to agree his diktat.

Fairoza Banu was initially sent to other parts of AlQurayath and finally was sent to Sakakah, around 300 Kms from AlQurayath, to work for another family. Sabiha was also sent to work for others, but after few months, she came back to her Kafeel and working as a housemaid in his house. 

Both were being maltreated and harassed by him without the salaries being paid for 8 & 9 months respectively. He neither legalized the status of the visit visa nor sent them to India despite of their cries. 

Since Sabiha was directly working at his house, she was very vulnerable to his ill-treatments. She was not even provided with food for few days as she decided not to work at his house. The duo faced a lot of problems & harassments from him. Their dire situations were telecast in Kannada TV channels and Prajavani News Paper in Karnataka. 

After reading the news in Prajavani daily and after exerting good efforts, finally Adv. P.A.Hameed found Fairoza Banu's whereabouts and through her, he also found out Sabiha from Tumakuru in AlQurayat.

Initially, Adv P A Hameed tried to sort out the issue  through amicable settlement with Saad Al-Anazi, but he seemed to be very adamant and rough. So, Adv Padubidri approached with his petitions & tweets to the Indian Embassy in RIYADH, Ministry of External Affairs, Delhi and more importantly Human Rights Commission (HRC) in the KSA at AlJouf Province. After more than a month's endeavours and with the intervention of the HRC & their directives to the local police station, he agreed to send them to India after settling their dues & flight tickets. However, he had to comply with the provisions & procedures of the Passport Directorate (Jawazaath). 

He was heavily fined to the tune of the Saudi Riyals 30k (SR.15k each) for violating the KSA's visa rule as he forced them to work as a housemaid without legalizing the visa status (from visit visa to Iqama visa), which was valid only for 90 days. Persons on visit visa are not allowed to work nor overstay in the KSA without extending the visa. Finally, he sent Mrs. Fairoza Banu to India by paying one month's salary & flight ticket via Riyadh-Qatar-Bengaluru.

However, he sent Mrs. Sabiha from AlQurayath to Jeddah Intl.Airport by bus by making her to believe that she would be flied from the Airport to Bengaluru.When she reached the Jeddah Intl. Airport, she found out that the ticket she was given by him was old expired dummy one that too without exit visa. 

When she became panic & helpless, she called Adv. Padubidri to help out her. He advised her to directly approach the Indian Consulate in Jeddah, where she was provided with the shelter until the exit process is complete by the Consulate.She is presently waiting for the green signal from the Consulate to exit from the KSA to India.

Adv.Padubidri is doing his best efforts with the coordination & cooperation of the Consulate to repatriate her soon. Besides, he again approached the HRC describing her situation & cheating by her sponsor without settlements. Besides, he forced her to sign a paper, which was said to be a settlement of all dues owed by him to her.  

Adv. P.A.Hameed extended his heartfelt thanks mainly to the head of the HRC in AlJouf, Mr. Sulaiman Al-Rasheed & his staffs, who were very responsive & cooperative  throughout his efforts. So also, he thanked the Indian Ambassador to the KSA, Indian Embassy & its officer, Mr. Rajesh Kumar as well as Ministry of External Affairs, Delhi & its Gulf Division Directors, Mr. Avtar Singh & Mr. JS Vipul. Besides, he expressed his very good appreciation & thankfulness to Mr. Saleem Kodangalluru -Kerala, a social & community worker in AlQurayat, who was very supportive & actively involved in this case even at the cost of risks.

hamedpadubidri.jpg

P A Hameed Padubidri, Riyadh based pro-bono lawyer and Saleem Kodangalluru Kerala, based in AlQurayath

THREAT TO ADV P A HAMEED & SALEEM K. BY THE SPONSOR OF THE TWO WOMEN

The sponsor reportedly called Adv Padubidri and intimidated him by saying that he would lodge a false complaint against Adv. Padubidri & teach a bitter lesson to him. He also used bad languages against Adv. Padubidri saying- "you are the one you supported these ladies & complained against me in the police station (Shurtha) & HRC; none was daring to touch me so far; you annoyed me & I will not leave you that easily...." 

Adv Padubidri already lodged complaints against him in the HRC, Indian Embassy & Ministry of External Affairs, Delhi, asking protection in case he translate his threat into action.The MEA already registered his (Adv.Padubidri)complaint on MADAD app.created by the MEA & sent it to the Mission for the necessary action. 

Besides, he scolded & threatened Saleem Kodangalluru-Kerala with dire consequences for supporting in this case. 

Sa'ad AlAnazi's job is to bringing the women from India, Bangladesh, Srilanka, Indonesia etc.on visit visa, which is costed very cheap, & forcing them to work as housemaids for other families for meagre salaries in different parts of the KSA. It's said that he neither extend such visa before they get expired nor they are legalized into residence permit visa by paying govt. prescribed fees to the Jawazaath. Not only that, if anyone raises their voice against him, he used to shout & sometimes attack on them. Both Fairoza Banu & Sabiha were out of connection and any communication for about two weeks as he forcibly took away their mobile phones and removed its sim cards. 

Also Read: Two NRI women from Karnataka being tortured by sponsor in Saudi Arabia; official intervention sought

Comments

Naushiba
 - 
Tuesday, 22 Jun 2021

Ma Sha Allah Mr.P.A Hameed(my dearest Uncle) & Mr.Saleem u both have done such a wonderful and great
Service to needy people 👍🏻❣️ may Allah accept all our good deeds 🤲🏻

Add new comment

About text formats
  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
November 10,2024

tokkottudeath.jpg

Mangaluru: A tragic accident took place on Saturday at Chembugudde near Thokkottu, claiming the life of a 47-year-old woman after a tanker lorry ran over her. The victim, identified as Rahmat H Rashid, was riding pillion with her husband, Abdul Rashid G, on their scooter. 

The couple was traveling from Yenepoya Hospital to Bajpe when the scooter skidded on the poorly maintained road. Rahmat fell onto the road and was fatally struck by a tanker lorry that was coming from behind. Despite being rushed to the hospital, doctors declared her dead upon arrival.

The incident prompted a swift response from the DYFI Ullal Taluk Committee, which staged a protest on Saturday night, condemning the unsafe condition of the road. Nithin Kuthar, president of the committee, criticized MLA and Legislative Assembly Speaker UT Khader for failing to ensure safe infrastructure, despite touting the road as toll-free. 

Kuthar demanded immediate repairs, warning that the committee would march to the MLA’s office with black flags if the road is not fixed within a week.

Former DYFI State President Sunil Kumar Bajal also voiced frustration over the deteriorating condition of Thokkottu market, highlighting the struggles people face while crossing roads riddled with dangerous potholes. In response to public outcry, temporary repairs were made to the road at Chembugudde on Sunday, though locals remain wary and demand a more permanent solution. 

Comments

Add new comment

About text formats
  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
November 12,2024

ikramuddinkamil.jpg

The Taliban regime has appointed Ikramuddin Kamil as the acting consul in the Afghan mission in Mumbai, Afghan media has reported.

It is the first such appointment made by the Taliban set up to any Afghan mission in India.

There was no immediate comment from the Indian side on the appointment that came.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan has announced the appointment of Kamil as the acting consul in Mumbai, the Taliban-controlled Bakhtar News Agency reported on Monday, citing unnamed sources.

"He is currently in Mumbai, where he is fulfilling his duties as a diplomat representing the Islamic Emirate," it said.

The appointment is part of Kabul's efforts to strengthen diplomatic ties with India and enhance its presence abroad, the media outlet said

Kamil holds a PhD degree in international law and previously served as the deputy director in the department of security cooperation and border affairs in the foreign ministry, it said.

He is expected to facilitate consular services and represent the interests of Afghanistan in India, the report added.

Kamil's appointment comes days after the external affairs ministry's point-person for Afghanistan held talks with the Taliban's acting defence minister, Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob, in Kabul.

Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai, the Taliban's deputy foreign minister for political affairs, also posted on X about Kamil's appointment.

The appointment of Kamil is seen as part of efforts to facilitate consular services to the Afghan population in Mumbai.

There has been almost negligible presence of diplomatic staff at the Afghan missions in India.

Most of the diplomats appointed by the Ashraf Ghani government have already left India.

In May, Zakia Wardak, the seniormost Afghan diplomat in India, resigned from her position after reports emerged that she was caught at the Mumbai airport for allegedly trying to smuggle 25 kg of gold worth Rs 18.6 crore from Dubai.

Wardak had taken charge as the acting ambassador of Afghanistan to New Delhi late last year, after working as the Afghan consul general in Mumbai for more than two years.

She took charge of the Afghan embassy in New Delhi last November, after the mission helmed by then ambassador Farid Mamundzay announced its closure.

Mamundzay, who was an appointee of the Ghani government, had moved to the United Kingdom.

Comments

Add new comment

About text formats
  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
November 5,2024

Mangaluru: Pilikula Biological Park has welcomed several exotic species, including a six-year-old Asiatic lion, a wolf, two gharial crocodiles, and four rare birds (two silver pheasants and two yellow-golden pheasants), as part of an animal exchange programme with Nandankanan Zoological Park, Odisha. The exchange was approved by the Central Zoo Authority, marking a major addition to Pilikula Zoo's growing collection.

Animal Exchange Details

Park Director H Jayaprakash Bhandary provided insights into the exchange programme. In return for the new arrivals, Pilikula Zoo will send four dholes (wild dogs), four rare reticulated pythons, two Brahminy kites, three Asian palm civets, and two large egrets to Nandankanan Zoo. Notably, all animals sent from Pilikula were born in the zoo, showcasing the zoo's success in breeding rare species.

Purpose of the Exchange

The animal exchange programme serves multiple purposes, including providing companions for solitary animals and preserving pure bloodlines. Pilikula Zoo already houses three lions, and the new male Asiatic lion was introduced as a companion. Since the number of Asiatic male lions in Indian zoos is relatively low, the zoo sourced this lion from the distant Nandankanan Zoological Park.

Care During Transport

To ensure the animals' safety and well-being during the 2,000-kilometre journey — the longest distance covered in Pilikula’s animal exchange history — two veterinary officers and eight caretakers from Nandankanan accompanied the animals. Both zoos will share equal responsibility for the care of the exchanged animals.

Future Animal Additions and Revenue Boost

Pilikula Biological Park, home to approximately 1,200 animals, birds, and reptiles, is one of India’s 18 large zoos. Discussions are ongoing for future exchanges with other prominent zoos, including Chhatbir Zoo in Punjab, Byculla Zoo in Mumbai, and the Madras Crocodile Bank. The zoo also plans to introduce rare species like the Anaconda and the Humboldt penguin, for which special enclosures will be built, thanks to donor contributions.

The addition of these rare animals and birds is expected to boost the zoo’s revenue, helping it become self-sustaining, Bhandary said.

Quarantine and Public Display

Before being introduced to the public, the new arrivals will spend around 15 days in a quarantine ward to adapt to the local environment. They will receive necessary vaccinations and treatments during this period, after which they will be displayed to visitors.

Record-breaking Exchange

This animal exchange marks a significant achievement for Pilikula Zoo, with the animals being transported over approximately 2,000 kilometres from Nandankanan Zoological Park. This sets a new record, surpassing the previous longest exchange with Udaipur Zoo in Rajasthan, which was around 1,700 kilometres.

Comments

Add new comment

About text formats
  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.