In August 2022, Qatari authorities arrested eight ex-Indian Navy personnel and recently, they were handed death sentences. The Ministry of External Affairs, in response to this, expressed its astonishment over the verdict and declared that India will address this issue with Qatari authorities. The exact charges against the officers remain undisclosed.
The eight former Indian Navy personnel, identified as Captain Navtej Singh Gill, Captain Saurabh Vasisht, Commander Purenendu Tiwari, Captain Birendra Kumar Verma, Commander Sugunakar Pakala, Commander Sanjeev Gupta, Commander Amit Nagpal, and Sailor Ragesh, were employed at Dahra Global Technologies and Consultancy Services. This company provides defense services and is owned by an Omani national, a retired squadron leader of the Royal Omani Air Force. He was also detained alongside the eight Indians but he was released in November.
The initial trial hearing took place on March 29, and while there has been much speculation regarding the accusations against these Navy veterans, neither the Qatari authorities nor Indian officials, who have had consular access to the prisoners, have formally informed the families of the specific charges underlying the trial. On April 6, the MEA had announced that the Indian government would provide legal support to these individuals.
The State Security Bureau, the Qatari intelligence agency, apprehended these men on the night of August 30, 2022. It wasn’t until mid-September that the Indian Embassy became aware of their arrests. They were allowed brief phone contact with their families on September 30. However, the first official consular access from the Indian embassy didn’t occur until October 3, more than a month after their initial detention. Since then, they have been permitted weekly phone calls with their family members.
These men have been kept in solitary confinement, and there is no public information available regarding the charges against them. Their families have been urging the Indian government to secure their prompt release.
The Ministry of External Affairs in an official press release stated that, “We are greatly disturbed by the death penalty verdict and are eagerly anticipating the comprehensive judgment. We are maintaining communication with the family members and our legal team, and we are actively considering all available legal avenues.”
MEA emphasized that, “We consider this case to be of great significance and have been closely monitoring it. We are committed to providing both consular and legal support. Additionally, we intend to address this verdict with the authorities in Qatar. Given the confidential nature of the case proceedings, we refrain from making any further comments at this time”.
