Lok Sabha Question No. 134 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-02
Subject: Legal Assistance to Indian Citizens abroad
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: E. T. Mohammed Basheer

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-134 ANSWERED ON- 02/02/2024

## LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO INDIAN CITIZENS ABROAD

## 134.  SHRI E.T. MOHAMMED BASHEER

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

- (a) whether the Government has noticed that there is delay from the
- side of Indian mission for providing welfare activities, especially legal assistance for jailed Indian person;
- (b)   if   so,   the   details   thereof   along   with   the   remedial   steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard; and (c) the total number of Indian citizen in jails abroad and the number of persons released  during the year 2023?

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

## (SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN)

(a & b) There has been no delay from the side of Indian Missions for providing welfare activities to Indian citizens abroad including legal assistance for jailed Indian persons. The Government of India and the Indian Missions/Posts give 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.   Whenever, 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   veracity   of   facts   of   the   case, confirm his or her Indian nationality and ensure his or her welfare and to ensure that rights of the Indian prisoners in foreign jails are protected. Missions/Posts abroad   also approach   the   law enforcement agencies to complete the investigation and judicial proceedings at the earliest possible.

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. In addition, 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.  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. (c) As per the information available with the Ministry, the number of

Indian citizens in jails abroad is 9309.

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