A huge fortune seems to be awaiting a Muslim family of Malabar region of Kerala as efforts gained momentum to realise a long-delayed compensation for demolition of a resting place for Haj pilgrims built by it 136 years ago at Mecca.
The chances of realising the compensation, lying in the treasury in Saudi Arabia for decades, has brightened with the state government appointing an IAS officer for negotiations on behalf of the renowned "Keyi" family of Thalassery in Kannur district and the state.
The Saudi government had decades ago deposited 14 lakh Saudi riyal as compensation after the structure was pulled down as part of expansion of the holy city, sources close to the family said.
T O Sooraj, the nodal officer appointed by the government, said he would be making all efforts to get the amount released at the earliest.
"First, we would be collecting as many documents as possible to stake claim on firm grounds. I will be in touch with those pursuing the matter for long and also the family members seeking their co-operation in the endeavour," Sooraj told PTI.
He said the government would be pursuing the matter within the framework of Saudi laws. "They (Saudi authorities) have already admitted the family's claim. But we may have to prove the legal hiership," he added.
The building, known as 'Keyi Rubath' was built 136 years ago by a member of the family as a place of rest for pilgrims at Mecca. The family had then purchased the land and constructed the structure entirely on its own expenses.
The structure had been used by pilgrims, especially those from the Malabar region, before it was demolished some 75 years ago by Saudi authorities as part of expansion of the holy city to improve amenities for the pilgrims converging there in lakhs for Haj.
According to sources, the compensation was sanctioned as back as 1950s but the family could not claim it as they could not provide all documents to establish the ownership.
