Emotional scenes unfolded at the residence of Abdul Rahim at Kodampuzha near Feroke in Kozhikode district of Kerala on Thursday (May 28, 2026) morning as he finally arrived home after serving a 20-year jail term in Saudi Arabia.
A large number of people, including local residents, his family members and neighbours, had gathered to greet him. The occasion also marked the observance of Id-ul-Adha. News channel cameramen jostled for space at the frontyard of the house when his mother, Fathima, came out and hugged him. Overcome with emotions, a sobbing Mr. Rahim was at a loss for words for a while. He was later seen waving to the crowd outside who were not deterred by the light drizzle.
Functionaries of the Abdul Rahim Legal Assistance Committee said that he arrived by an Air India Express flight that took off from the Riyadh airport in Saudi Arabia at 11.55 p.m. He arrived at the Calicut International Airport by around 8 a.m. They said the jail authorities had taken him to the airport and completed the immigration formalities. Mr. Rahim was accompanied by his power of attorney Siddique Thuvvur and other family members.
Expresses gratitude
Addressing the media later, Mr. Rahim thanked all those who stood with him, including officials at the Indian Embassy at Riyadh, functionaries of the legal assistance committee, and the Malayali diaspora.
His 20-year-jail term had ended on the midnight of May 19. Mr. Rahim was imprisoned and sentenced to death in 2006 for the murder of the 14-year-old differently abled son of his employer. Though Mr. Rahim claimed it was an accident, his employer’s arguments carried more legal weight.
Turning point in case
A turning point in the case happened when the Malayali diaspora managed to raise ₹35 crore, the blood money the victim’s family had demanded, in May 2024. The victim’s family later agreed to cancel the death sentence after receiving the money. The Saudi court in July 2024 revoked the death sentence. However, the Riyadh Criminal Court in May 2025 sentenced him to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment under the Public Rights Act. That term ended recently.
Published – May 28, 2026 11:39 am IST
