An Indian family which couldn’t return home during the amnesty period, due to one of the member’s pregnancy, has finally repatriated.

The saga of Zahid Hussain’s family, who hail from Maharashtra, was reported earlier in these columns. The Indian Consulate, following the publication of the family’s traumatic experience, stepped in and requested the deportation authorities to expedite the process of repatriation.

Hussain, who works in Hail, sought arrest and deportation after coming to Jeddah with his wife and four kids including an infant.

The family was lodged in the Shumaisy deportation center after their arrest when Arab News broke the story.

Hussain said, “My family has been deported and they have reached home,” adding that he however has not been deported and continues to be lodged at the deportation center as he holds a valid Iqama.

“I don’t know whether I will be released or deported, but my family is back in India and that is what I have been seeking for a long time” he said, thanking the officials of the Indian Consulate and Saudi Passport Department for their humanitarian approach and considering their case even after the expiry of the grace period.

The family wanted to return home during the grace period but failed to avail it as International civil aviation rules prevent pregnant women from undertaking a long journey.