The driver, Abdul Raheem, 28, was charged on Dec. 24, 2006, of killing Muhammad Anas, 17. During a subsequent trial, the Riyadh High Court found Abdul Raheem guilty of squeezing the victim's neck till he died.

An association from the southern Indian state of Kerala has formed an action committee to negotiate with the two sides. Ashraff Vengatt, a representative of the group, said Abdul Raheem behaved like that after being provoked by the 17-year-old who was prone to mood swings.

“The accused was new to the Kingdom and was here only for a few days prior to the tragedy,” Vengatt said, adding that it was not premeditated murder.

“We respect the rules and regulations of the host country and on behalf of Abdul Raheem's family we seek a pardon for the accused according to the Kingdom’s prevailing legal system,” Vengatt said.

He added that a special appeal will also be presented to Riyadh Gov. Prince Salman requesting him to help obtain a pardon from the parents.

Indian Deputy External Affairs Minister E. Ahamed had requested the Indian mission in Riyadh to follow up on the case on humanitarian grounds.

According to a source at the Indian Embassy, the mission has not officially received the court verdict from the government. “Action can only be taken when the mission receives the verdict from the government,” the sources said.