Lok Sabha Question No. 544 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-06
Subject: Deportation of Prisoners
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: RABINDRA KUMAR JENA

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.544 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.02.2019

## DEPORTATION OF PRISONERS

## 544. SHRI RABINDRA KUMAR JENA:

Will the Minister of External Affairs be pleased to state:

- (a) the total number of Indians who have completed their jail terms in prisons of foreign country;
- (b) the country-wise details of steps taken for their deportation/administrative transfer; and
- (c) the steps taken by Indian Missions for the deportation or administrative transfer of 360 Indian nationals who were identified in 9 countries as having completed their jail sentences in March 2018?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## [GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

(a) & (b) As per information available, the total number of Indians who have completed their jail terms but are still lodged in prisons of foreign countries is 434, out of which 396 Indians are only in Pakistan. Country-wise details are at Annexure.  However, due to stringent privacy laws prevailing in many countries, the local authorities do not share information on prisoners unless the person concerned consents to the disclosure of such information. Even countries, which share   information,   do   not   generally   provide   detailed   information   about   the persons who have been imprisoned.

(c) The   process   of   deportation   of   Indian   nationals   who   complete   their sentences in foreign prisons is dynamic and keeps changing.  Our Missions and Posts abroad provide all possible consular support and humanitarian and legal assistance on a case to case basis, for completing formalities by coordinating with local immigration authorities for early deportation of the Indians who have completed their jails terms.   This includes issue of emergency certificates, if required,   and   also   provision   of   airfare   in   deserving   cases   from   the   Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF).

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## ANNEXURE

| S. No.   | Name of Country      |   Number of Indians who have com- pleted their jail terms in prisons of foreign country |
|----------|----------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 1        | Bangladesh           |                                                                                       3 |
| 2        | China                |                                                                                       1 |
| 3        | Fiji                 |                                                                                       2 |
| 4        | France               |                                                                                       1 |
| 5        | Iran                 |                                                                                       1 |
| 6        | Nepal                |                                                                                       7 |
| 7        | Oman                 |                                                                                       4 |
| 8        | Pakistan             |                                                                                     396 |
| 9        | Portugal             |                                                                                       1 |
| 10       | Russia               |                                                                                       1 |
| 11       | United Arab Emirates |                                                                                      16 |
| 12       | Uzbekistan           |                                                                                       1 |
| Total    |                      |                                                                                     434 |

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