Latest news with #BheemReddyMandha
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Time of India
Misconduct charge lands Telangana man in Saudi Arabia jail over misbehaviour with schoolchildren; wife appeals for clemency and repatriation
HYDERABAD: A worker from Rajanna Sircilla district has been sentenced to three-and-a-half years in jail in Saudi Arabia for alleged misbehaviour with school-going children. The 50-year-old driver from Mandepally village in Thangalapalli mandal was employed by a local family in Riyadh. He reportedly tried to explain to police that his actions were misinterpreted and had no ill intent, but his kafil (employer) pursued the case, leading to his conviction on Feb 1. He is currently lodged in Tarheel jail in Riyadh. In a letter to CM Revanth Reddy, his wife urged the govt to take up the case with the Indian embassy in Riyadh to help file a mercy petition. She submitted the letter at 'Pravasi Praja Vani' grievance forum at Praja Bhavan on June 20. "While transporting the employer's children to and from school, his affectionate and friendly behaviour was misunderstood. My husband was unaware of local cultural sensitivities, which led to his arrest," she wrote. She has also requested her husband's repatriation after his release. The family is seeking clemency and early repatriation for the Sircilla man. Vice-chairman of NRI advisory committee, Bheem Reddy Mandha, said Pravasi Praja Vani coordinator and IAS officer Divya Devarajan has directed officials to write to the Indian embassy regarding the case. A Saudi-based social worker, Asani Raj Reddy, said although the court ruling cannot be challenged, a mercy petition can be filed through diplomatic channels.
Daily Tribune
28-02-2025
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
Consular Fee Hike Reports False, Says Indian Embassy
The Indian Embassy in Bahrain has dismissed reports of a proposed increase in consular service fees, stating that no such hike has been implemented. In a statement issued on Thursday, the embassy clarified, 'There has been no increase in the fees for various consular services rendered in Bahrain as claimed. ' It urged all parties to avoid spreading unverified or speculative information, warning that such reports could cause inconvenience to the Indian community and affect the efficient delivery of services. Meanwhile, Pravasi Legal Cell (PLC), the non-governmental organisation that filed a representation to India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) over the alleged proposal, said it has not yet received a response from the ministry. The controversy stemmed from media reports, including a column published in the Delhi edition of The Pioneer on February 24th by senior journalist BK Jha. Titled 'Steep hike in passport & visa services abroad: A big blow to blue-collar workers', the article highlighted concerns over the alleged fee increase. A separate report in The Times of India on February 25th by Ch Sushil Rao, titled 'MEA urged to roll back Gulf consular service fee hike', cited migrant rights activist Bheem Reddy Mandha and former MLA Anil Eravathri, who both expressed concerns about the impact of the reported fee hike on Indian expatriates. Bheem Reddy Mandha told TDT that outsourcing contracts for consular services are being renewed in 29 countries, including the GCC. He stated that there is an assumption that the fees for consular services may be increased, and no published MEA proposal exists on this. Nevertheless, the issue will be raised through MPs in the upcoming session of the Indian parliament to get a clarification from the MEA on whether the fees will be increased or not, he said. Meanwhile, KC Venugopal, a senior leader of India's Opposition party Indian National Congress, has called on the MEA to clarify. In a post on X, he stated, 'A vast majority of our NRI brothers and sisters live paycheck to paycheck, so that they can send most of their earnings back home. The latest RFP for Consular, Passport and Visa services (CPV) at Indian missions abroad will impose a massive burden on these workers and appears designed to benefit private service providers.'
