From the jaws of death to the safety of home

Our Correspondent

Keralite Becks Krishnan, who faced capital punishment for causing the death of a Sudanese boy in September 2012, reached his home state of Kerala, India on June 8 to the relief and joy of his family.

His release was secured through the intervention of Lulu Group chairman M.A. Yusuff Ali, who paid Dh500,000 as compensation in court. The Indian Embassy also played a big role in securing his freedom.

Krishnan departed from Abu Dhabi on June 7 night, and reached Kochi International Airport early morning the next day where he was welcomed by wife Veena and son Advaith. There were emotional scenes at the airport and later at home with his parents.

Krishnan, 45, who hails from Thrissur district, said upon landing that it was a second lease of life for him gifted by Yusuff Ali. His wife also expressed her gratitude to Yusuff Ali.

Yusuff Ali said the act of kindness was not following his helicopter accident in Kochi in April but the result of a long-drawn process involving multiple stakeholders.

“I am not trying to do ‘sadaqa’ (charity) following my chopper accident. I paid the compensation amount in January. He is a young man and has a family. You can’t measure the value of a life with money. Now he has reached home,” Yusuff Ali said. He also remembered that it was not an easy intervention as the Sudanese family were not willing to accept blood money in place of their lost child.

The Lulu chairman has also offered to give Krishnan, formerly a driver with an Abu Dhabi company, a job with Lulu in any of the GCC countries. But at first, he wants Krishnan to spend time with his family for six months, including his son who was only two when he was imprisoned.