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

Dubai, Apr 10 (PTI) 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 told PTI.
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. PTI