Lok Sabha Question No. 3760 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-11
Subject: Indians Imprisoned in Gulf Countries
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Manoj Rajoria, Ranjeeta Koli, Sumedhanand Saraswati

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

ANSWERED ON- 11/08/2023

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-3760

## INDIANS IMPRISONED IN GULF COUNTRIES

†3760. DR. MANOJ RAJORIA SHRIMATI RANJEETA KOLI SHRI SUMEDHANAND SARASWATI

Will the minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state :-

(a) whether the Government is aware that a number of Indians are imprisoned in gulf countries;

(b)  if so, the details thereof;

(c) the details of the action being taken by the Government for their release and deportation to India; and

(d) the number of Indians imprisoned in foreign jails before 2015 and the number of Indian prisoners released from 2015 to 2023 as well as the number of people imprisoned till date?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN)

(a, b & d) As per the information available with the Ministry, the number of Indian prisoners, including undertrials, lodged in jails of Gulf countries is 4630, viz. Bahrain (277), Kuwait (446), Oman (139), Qatar (696), Saudi Arabia (1461) and United Arab Emirates (1611). However, due to   strong   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 foreign nationals imprisoned. The number of Indians in foreign jails is a dynamic figure as there are a number of arrests and releases every week. However, all of the arrested Indians are released after serving their sentences.

(c) The Government attaches the highest priority to the safety, security and well-being of Indians in foreign countries, including those in the foreign jails. Indian Missions/Posts abroad remain vigilant   and   closely   monitor   the   incidents   of   Indian   nationals   being   put   in   jail   in   foreign countries for violation/ alleged violation of local laws.

As soon as the information about the detention/arrest of an Indian national is received by an Indian Mission/Post, it immediately gets in touch with the local Foreign Office and other concerned local authorities to get consular access to the detained/arrested Indian national to ascertain the facts of the case, confirm his or her Indian nationality and ensure his or her welfare.

Missions/Posts remain vigilant to ensure that rights of the Indian prisoners in foreign jails are protected.

Apart from extending all possible consular assistance to Indians imprisoned abroad, Indian Missions and Posts also assist in providing legal aid wherever needed. Missions and Posts also maintain a local panel of lawyers where Indian community is in sizeable numbers. No fee is charged from any Indian prisoner for extending facilities by the Indian Embassy concerned. The Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) is set up in Indian Missions & Posts abroad for assisting overseas Indian nationals in distress situations on a means tested basis in deserving cases. The support extended under ICWF includes financial assistance to Indian prisoners for legal aid as well as travel documents / air tickets during repatriation.

The issue of release and repatriation of Indian nationals in foreign prisons is regularly pursued by Indian Missions and Posts abroad with the local authorities concerned. Missions/Posts abroad also   approach   the   law   enforcement   agencies   to   complete   the   investigation   and   judicial proceedings at the earliest possible. The Government also follows up this issue during consular and   other   consultations   with   other   countries.   In   addition,   the   Government,   through   its Missions/Posts   abroad   and   during   high   level   visits,   also   takes   up   and   pursues   grant   of amnesty/commutation   of   sentences   of   Indian   prisoners   in   foreign   countries.   When   these imprisoned Indians get released, they are facilitated   in   getting   travel   documents   for   early repatriation.

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