2 Indian Hajis held in Saudi for possessing poppy

Two Indians, including a woman, have been languishing in a Saudi jail for over a month for allegedly possessing 250 grams of poppy seeds.

They were arrested as they arrived for the Haj pilgrimage in December.

The two -- Haneefa Yusuf and her nephew Siraj Fareed -- had apparently taken the poppy seeds (khash khash), used in parts of India with some dishes, without knowing that it is banned in Saudi Arabia, diplomatic sources told PTI.

India has raised the issue with the Saudi government, seeking their early release, the sources said.

The case came to light even as efforts were being made to secure the release of Naushad, who has been convicted in Saudi Arabia for blinding a person during a scuffle.

Haneefa and Siraj, both hailing from Gujarat, were arrested on December 31 when they landed at the Jeddah airport to perform Haj, they said.

The poppy seeds were found by the custom officials in a box.

The duo tried to reason out with Saudi authorities that the poppy seeds are used in cooking various Indian dishes including halwa but were sent to jail.

As the incident came to the notice of the Indian Consulate in Jeddah, it swung into action and approached the Saudi authorities.

Indian Consul General in Jeddah Ausaf Sayeed wrote to Saudi Director General in Haj Ministry Abdullah bin Mohammad Marghalani, requesting sympathetic consideration of the matter and seeking the release of the duo, the sources said.

After intense efforts, the Saudi authorities released them for a few days to enable them to perform Haj pilgrimage, the sources said.

They were handed over to South Asian Establishment, an NGO, which gave a written undertaking that the arrested duo would be handed over to the Saudi authorities.

Subsequently, they were handed over to the Saudi authorities after performing Haj pilgrimage.

The Indian Government later took up the issue with Saudi Minister for Haj Fouad bin Abdussalam Al Farsi.

"We are told that in all likelihood, the pilgrims will be released as soon as investigations are completed," the sources said.

Officials said the incident highlighted the need for proper orientation programmes for Haj pilgrims to ensure that they are aware what items are banned in Saudi Arabia.