The 17 Indians sentenced by a Sharjah Appeal court in a criminal case on charges of bootlegging and murder of a Pakistani are likely to be deported to India shortly since they have already completed their six-month jail term.

The defence lawyer for the 17 Indians said once the civil case in which the two of the injured are seeking compensation is settled, the 17 Indians will be able to return to India since they have served their term in the prison.

The 17 Indians have been in jail since 2009 for bootlegging and murder of a Pakistani and assaulting three others in the Al Sharjah camp.

An Appellate Court in Sharjah pronounced six month jail term for 17 Indians for consuming and selling alcohol. The court had earlier revoked the death sentence against these men on 12th September last year after the victim's family accepted blood money worth 40 lakh rupees.

The case was re-opened in January due to a bootlegging case lodged against them. However, the civil case against the 17 Indians in which two Pakistani brothers have sought compensation for injuries during the same brawl is scheduled for 15th February. They claim to have lost their livelihood due to the disability after the injuries .The court is likely to examine the degree of disability.