Bhatkal: Mohammed Khalid, a 28-year-old resident of Bhatkal Belni village, is currently facing a legal predicament in Saudi Arabia's Tayma village, situated 830 kilometers from Jeddah, due to a minor road accident that occurred four years ago. The court has imposed a hefty fine of 34,500 Riyals (approximately seven lakh Indian rupees), a sum he is unable to pay, leading to his effective confinement to the village for the past four years. Khalid's plea for help, shared through social media, has garnered widespread attention, with requests for assistance directed towards the Bhatkal Community in Jeddah and appeals made to the Indian Government to facilitate his return to India.

Khalid recounted over the phone that he had traveled to Saudi Arabia in 2016 for labor work but has since been unable to return home. The accident took place four years ago when he was driving a car with his sponsor, resulting in a collision with another car belonging to a Saudi National. Although the injuries were minor, Khalid was fined seven lakh rupees by the court.

Khalid outlined the challenges he faces as the sole provider for his family, underscoring the impact of his unemployment on his younger brother's education. Following the accident, his sponsor ceased providing employment, compelling Khalid to rely on odd jobs for survival. While he recently regained possession of his passport, it has expired, further complicating his efforts to resolve the court-imposed fine.

Taslima Banu, Khalid's mother, residing with her mute husband and son in a rented house, expressed profound distress over the situation. With her elder son stuck in Saudi Arabia for four years, the responsibility of managing the household has fallen upon her younger son, who has had to discontinue his education. She tearfully appealed to the Indian government to assist in her son's return from Saudi Arabia, highlighting the family's enduring financial hardships and the fruitless efforts made over the past four years to resolve elder son's issue.