Lok Sabha Question No. 3593 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-13
Subject: Arrest of Youth in Gulf Countries
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Ms Iqra Choudhary

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 3593

ANSWERED ON- 13 MARCH 2026

ARREST OF YOUTH IN GULF COUNTRIES

†3593. MS IQRA CHOUDHARY

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is aware of instances wherein agents allegedly   placed   prohibited   narcotic   substances   in   the   luggage   of youths from Uttar Pradesh without their knowledge on the pretext of providing employment in Gulf countries, resulting in their arrest and imprisonment at airports abroad;

(b)   if   so,   whether   the   Government   has   made   any   efforts   at   the diplomatic level with the concerned Gulf countries, requesting for clemency, mitigation of sentence or pardon, keeping in view the young age, lack of awareness and first- time offence of such individuals;

(c) whether the Government has district-wise details of youths from Uttar Pradesh languishing in prisons in Qatar and other Gulf countries, if so, the details thereof;

(d)   whether   any   action   has   been   taken   against   such   agents   and rackets in coordination with the State Government, if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the steps taken by the Government to prevent recurrence of such incidents in future?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI PABITRA MARGHERITA)

(a) Ministry and our Embassies are always alert to detention of Indian nationals, including in the Gulf. The Ministry also receives complaints related to cheating by recruiting agents/touts in the name of providing overseas   employment   and   also   problems   faced   by   the   emigrant

workers abroad e.g. contract substitution, not providing promised jobs, violation of contract terms, wage disputes, long working hours, issues related to work permit etc.

(b) The Government attaches high 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. 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. (c) As per the information available with the Ministry, the number of

Indian   prisoners,   including   undertrials,   in   Qatar   and   other   Gulf countries is 5548. Country-wise list is placed at Annexure-A. However, due   to   strong   privacy   laws,   foreign   governments   do   not   share

information on prisoners unless the person concerned consents to the disclosure   of   such   information.   Therefore,   district-wise   details   of Indian Prisoners from Uttar Pradesh are not available. (d)   &   (e)   Any   complaint   against   registered   agents   relating   to   the violation of the provisions under the Emigration Act, 1983, is referred to the jurisdictional Protector of Emigrants (POE) for taking necessary action as per the relevant provision under the Act. Complaints relating to violation of contract terms by the foreign employers are referred to the   concerned   Indian   Missions/Posts   abroad for   taking   necessary action. Complaints against unauthorized agents and touts are referred to the State enforcement agencies for taking necessary action under the provisions of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and existing State laws.

## Annexure - A

| Sr. No.   | Country      |   Total number of Indians under trail and convicted in Foreign Jails (as on 31.12.2025) |
|-----------|--------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 1         | Bahrain      |                                                                                     303 |
| 2         | Kuwait       |                                                                                     379 |
| 3         | Oman         |                                                                                      99 |
| 4         | Qatar        |                                                                                     870 |
| 5         | Saudi Arabia |                                                                                    2478 |
| 6         | UAE          |                                                                                    1419 |
|           | Total        |                                                                                    5548 |

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