UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: TWO INDIAN MEN SPARED DEATH ROW IN SHARJAH

in a major reprieve in the United Arab Emirates, a Sharjah court pardoned two Indian migrant workers. Dandugula Muthyam, 22, and Bodasu Yellaiah, 38, were earlier given death sentences for killing Kanakaiah, a native of Yerragattupalli village of Sircilla mandal in Karimnagar district. Kanakaiah was murdered by six Armoor locals two years ago. The court also sentenced four others- Regula Gagram, 41, Allepu Rajanna, 26, and Sondi Gangram, 28, of Degram village of Armoor mandal, and Ieagotti Ganaram, 30, of Munipalli village in Jakranpalli mandal- to three years imprisonment. Reacting to fervent appeals from the convicted people's family members, the state government intervened in the matter and appointed a lawyer to argue on their behalf in the Sharjah court. Anuradha, a lawyer of Telugu origin, settled in Dubai, came to Karimnagar on December 23, 2007, to convince Kanakaiah's parents but they were not convinced of assurances from the government of financial benefits. The villagers, however, raised Rs 14 lakh and the victim's family members ensured the pardoning of the six convicted people by the Sharjah court.