The government is putting all-out efforts to bring back eight former naval personnel from Qatar, says Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar.
These personnel were recently handed death sentence by a Qatar’ Court of First Instance.
Responding to media queries at the annual media briefing ahead of the Navy Day, Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar said: “We are working closely to ensure that their interests are looked after.” Adding, “The government of India is putting all-out efforts to ensure they are brought back.”
Background
Qatar’s Court of First Instance was expected to review the death penalty for eight Indian naval veterans on November 23. This meant the Gulf country won’t enforce the penalty without informing the Indian government first. It has been reported previously that on October 26, 2023, the initial decision for the death penalty was made.
The Indian defence team for the case which is led by a former Qatar attorney general, is diligently working to help the veterans. Due to court procedures, the veterans mainly interact with him during hearings. The veterans, including Commander Amit Nagpal, seek penalty information in their weekly calls. This recent development brings relief to families and veterans.
On November 30, another hearing was scheduled offering hope for a coordinated approach between Qatar and India. However, so far there is no official news about the proceedings that took place.
India expressed concern over the surprising court ruling and promised to examine all available legal avenues. The Indian nationals, affiliated with the private company Al Dahra, faced arrest in August last year, reportedly in connection with an alleged espionage incident. The charges against these individuals, who were formerly esteemed Navy officers with impeccable records spanning up to two decades, were officially filed on March 25 under Qatari law. Despite the gravity of the situation, specific charges have not been publicly disclosed by either the Qatari authorities or New Delhi. The Ministry of External Affairs emphasized the significance of this case last month, indicating a thorough exploration of legal options.