This is the tragic story of Abdul Hameed, an Indian expatriate, who remained behind bars for nearly a year for want of proving his identity and nativity.
During his detention at the deportation center in Jeddah, Hameed was even unable to recall his wife’s mobile number back home. Adding to the confusion he had lost his own passport and was not in possession of any photocopy of his travel document to prove his identity and home country.
While behind bars, the only contact number he could recollect was that of his neighbor’s. Even the neighbor sold the house and was not reachable.
What’s more, his family also moved to a city, which is other than the address mentioned in the passport.
Hameed never even imagined that losing his mobile phone and passport while on a visit to the Kingdom from Kuwait would cost him this agony. He remained behind bars.
Adding to his woes was that his father also moved to some other city without leaving any trace of his original address – the address that Hameed says was mentioned in his lost passport.
Hameed claimed to be a native of Kadapa district in Andhra Pradesh. He was working in Kuwait and his sponsor brought him to the Kingdom two years ago on temporary visa. Hameed lost his mobile phone and original passport. He was detained by security authorities for not possessing any documents, according to sources.
Hameed was later shifted to the deportation center, where he remained lodged. The Indian consulate was unable to take up his case further. Usually, the consulate assists in issuing an emergency certificate (EC) enabling the Indian detainee to travel back home if he produces some document to prove his nativity and address of residence.
The consulate’s efforts to trace Hameed’s family also drew blank as they did not find anyone at the address given by him. This complicated the matter further.
However, the consulate’s efforts bore fruit when it succeeded in tracing his family to a different city of which Hameed was not aware. There was a communication gap caused by Hameed losing his mobile phone.
Sirajul, wife of Abdul Hameed, has since sent his passport copy and other related documents to the consulate.
“I have been running from pillar to post to locate my husband but luckily I came to know about him,” she told Arab News, adding that she is anxiously looking forward to receive him.
