Dubai Businessman Delaying Pact, Say Kin Of Jailed Youths

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Dubai businessman delaying pact, say kin of jailed youths

Varinder Singh/TNS

Jalandhar May 26

Hope of an out-of-court settlement between families of 17 Punjabi youths facing the death sentence in a Sharjah jail and the family of Pakistani national Mishri Khan, allegedly killed in a group clash last year, appears to be diminishing with Mishri’s cousin Ramzaan backing out of a compromise.

Family members of the youths, at a press conference here today, blamed Dubai-based businessman Baljit Singh Khalsa for scuttling the compromise efforts.

When contacted on the phone, Baljit Singh refuted the charge, claiming that he had rather been striving to strike a compromise by offering to pay hefty money

(blood money) to Mishri Khan’s kin. “What is their problem? I want to help the boys out. I have offered to dole out Rs 12 crore as blood money. I still stand by my offer. But Mishri Khan’s family is demanding Rs 20 crore. I am even ready to pay that amount,” said Baljit Singh.

Led by Ranjit Kaur, wife of Dharampal, one of the convicted youths, the family members of the other youths said that Mishri Khan’s family, particularly, Ramzaan, representing the family of the deceased in court, was ready to accept two lakh dirhams (an estimated Rs 25 lakh) as blood money but Baljit Singh was dissuading them from doing so. Baljit Singh, they alleged, who wanted to earn hefty donations from abroad under the pretext of fighting for their cause, was advising Ramzaan against a compromise.

“On the other hand, they said, Dubai-based businessman SP Singh Oberoi had extended unconditional support to the youths. He has offered to pay Rs 1 crore as blood money, from his pocket,” said Ranjit Kaur.

“Besides Oberoi, Congress leader Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi has been helping the boys through his personal contacts in Dubai and Pakistan”, she said.

She cautioned Baljit Singh against undermining the ongoing compromise process, saying he would be solely responsible if any harm was caused to the jailed youths.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20110527/punjab.htm#5