SHARIAT Court in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) had ordered death sentence to 17 Indians for killing a Pakistani and injuring three others in an attack that took place last year over the control of illegal liquor business in Al Sajaa area of Sharjah. Any one irrespective of his social and financial stature must be punished if found to be involved in crime.

These people also deserve punishment. But the death sentence to 17 people at a time is rather shocking. The court before coming out with such capital punishment should have tried to find out and assess whether it was a case of culpable homicide or a cold blooded murder. It is the intention and motive behind the crime that defines the nature of the punishment. A deeper look strongly suggests that the person died in a clash of persons belonging to two rival groups involved in the illegal trade of alcohol. Both the groups represented the interests of their local masters. Obviously the murder of the Pakistani guy does not lie in the frame of cold blooded murder. The court ought to have taken this aspect of the crime before pronouncing the verdict. The order gives the impression that the court was guided by some extraneous considerations. Little doubt the Shariat court had denied justice to the 17 Indians. The Government of India should approach the highest authorities of the UAE, file an appeal in the higher court and ensure all possible help to them. The anomalies of the verdict should be made clear. Besides providing consular assistance, legal help and financial assistance to the victims, the External Affairs Minister, Mr S M Krishna should take the matter with his counterpart in the UAE and see that proper and right justice is meted out to these Indians.