Indian engineer wins 27-yr-old case in Saudi Arabia

An Indian engineer has been awarded USD 10,665 as compensation in a 27-year-old legal battle.

An Indian engineer has been awarded USD 10,665 as compensation in a 27-year-old legal battle which he fought following a road accident in Saudi Arabia partially paralysing him.

Ajay Baskar, who waged a long battle to claim his rights after being involved in an automobile accident has won his case, Welfare Officer at the Indian Embassy in Riyadh, P Balanchandran, said.

Ajay Basker has been handed over the amount by the District Revenue Officer in his hometown in India.

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“This case is one of the most significant legal follow-ups made by the Embassy of India in recent times. The Embassy exerted all efforts to help Basker get his rights,” Balanchandran was quoted as saying by the Saudi Gazette.

Basker joined Poken Arabia Contracting Company as a civil engineer in 1980.

On March 26, 1981, he met with an accident on his way back to Hail from Jeddah. Two other compatriots with him, Narayan Dutt Joshi from New Delhi and Philipos from Kerala, died on the spot.

Basker survived with severe head injuries and remained in coma in a hospital for eight months.

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He was later repatriated back to India on November 18, 1981 a disabled man and suffering from memory loss owing to head injuries.

The Indian Embassy filed a claim with the Saudi courts on his behalf.

Baskar fought a relentless battle for 27 long years even as he made a living by running a telephone booth.