Indian pays an eye for an eye

Dubai, Dec 6 (UNI) An Indian jailed in Saudi Arabia is set to have his one eye gouged out as punishment for partially blinding a Saudi national in an altercation.

An Indian embassy official said it would appeal for royal clemency for Abdul Lateef Naushad, 34, who hails from Kerala.

A court found Naushad guilty of injuring the Saudi"s eye who reportedly lost sight several weeks after a fight in 2003, local media reported.

The embassy was informed of the punishment imposed by a court in the Saudi city of Dammam by Nasushad"s Saudi sponsor.

The court ordered that one of Naushad"s eyes should be gouged out as punishment for causing the Saudi to lose the sight in one eye.

The case has now been transferred to the Higher Court in Riyadh following an appeal.

Naushad"s wife Sulekha, 30, and their two children live in Kerala.

The man has not seen his three-year-old daughter as he has been in jail for the past three years.

Saudi Arabia imposes strict Islamic laws, which include public beheading with sword.

Last year, 35 people were executed in the Kingdom and 52 in 2003.