UAE court to hear Indians' appeal against death on May 19

The case of 17 Indians, sentenced to death for murdering a Pakistani national in Sharjah, will be heard by a UAE appellate court on May 19, the lawyer handling the case on behalf of the Indian consulate here has said.

"We filed the appeal on Wednesday (April 8) and are awaiting the full file for defense which will help us study the entire case," Bindu Suresh Chettur said. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for May 19.

According to her, further to this preparation, a national lawyer will take up the case in the appellate court. As per local laws, foreign lawyers cannot appear in the local court.

The Indian consulate entrusted Chettur's law firm, Mohamed Salman Advocates and Legal Consultants, with the case following a March 29 judgement by a Sharjah Shariah Court sentencing the 17 to death.

The Indians were convicted for killing a Pakistani and injuring three others in January last year. "Our plea will be based on the premise that 17 people cannot be implicated for the same crime as the degrees of crime must be different," Chettur said.

She said she is positive about the outcome of this appeal process as she has handled such cases in the past. "We have to be positive and I am positive because of the faith reposed in me," she said, adding, the appeal will be based on the facts of the case.

According to the initial judgement, 50 people attacked the Pakistani with knives on that fateful day last year. Police rushed to the site and arrested the 17 Indians, who allegedly led the attack. The others were let off due to lack of evidence.

During court hearings, all the suspects confessed they had fought with and murdered the victim. Forensics reports and DNA tests also proved their role in the crime, earlier reports said.