Dubai-based Indian who walked 1,000km finally flies home

Selvaraj leaves for India from Dubai International Airport.

It was the perfect National Day gift for Indian national Jagannathan Selvaraj, who walked 1,000km for justice. On Thursday, Selvaraj flew home to be with his loved ones in India, thanks to the intervention of the Human Rights Department of Dubai Police, Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj and Indian consular officials. "Justice has prevailed in Dubai,'' said the Indian worker, who lauded this newspaper for publishing the story. He was also effusive in his praise for Dubai Police.
Selvaraj's plight was first reported by Khaleej Times two days ago. Media in India and the UAE picked up the story, and Dubai Police swung into action and tracked him down. He was then taken to a facility from where he was located by Indian officials after Swaraj tweeted that she had asked Indian mission officials to help him.
Indian Consulate and the Indian Workers Resources Center (IWRC) confirmed to Khaleej Times that Selvaraj had flown back to Chennai on an Air India flight. He
will then proceed to Tiruchirapalli, his home town.
"I am very happy. My employer has returned my passport and a ticket has been arranged by the Indian Consulate Dubai," said an elated Selvaraj, a carpenter by profession. "People in this country are so generous, their genorosity knows no bounds. Two years ago I could not go to India and attend my mothers funeral. Thanks to Dubai, I am able to go back to India," he said.
Anish Chaudhury of Indian Workers Resources Center contacted Khaleej Times after reading of Selvaraj's plight.
Selvaraj's employer allegedly did not return his passport and he was thrown on the streets without money. He spent two years in a public park. On Thursday, the company, handed over the passport. The case was settled months ago, and Selvaraj was stranded without proper travel documents.
Clutching a pile of court documents, he was relieved that justice prevailed in Dubai. "A poor worker could win a court case against his employer despite all the problems,'' he said.
Hundreds of Khaleej Times readers had come forward offering moral and material help, including a return ticket to his hometown. "I will never forget what they did for me," he said.
sathish@khaleejtimes.com