Lok Sabha Question No. 2130 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-12
Subject: Cases Registered against Indians in Gulf Countries
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Harendra Singh Malik

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 2130

ANSWERED ON- 12/12/2025

CASES REGISTERED AGAINST INDIANS IN GULF COUNTRIES

†2130.  SHRI HARENDRA SINGH MALIK

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

(a) whether cases have been registered in Gulf countries against Indians, who went there for employment during the last five years, if so, the details and present status thereof; and

(b) whether the Government provides any information to them about the basic living conditions and laws of the country, if so, the details thereof, if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a & b) Due to privacy laws, most of the foreign countries do not share details of cases registered against Indian nationals, including detention, arrest, imprisonment, etc.   Government comes to know about   such   cases   only   when   they   are   reported   to   the   Indian Missions/Posts   abroad.     As   per   data   available   with   the   Indian Mission/Posts   in   certain   Gulf   countries,   the   number   of   Indian nationals in prisons is as under:

| Country      |   Number of Indians in prison |
|--------------|-------------------------------|
| Saudi Arabia |                          2719 |
| Bahrain      |                          1002 |
| Qatar        |                           896 |
| Oman         |                           137 |

As soon as the information about the detention/arrest/imprisonment of an Indian national is received by the Indian Embassy/Consulate, the officials immediately get in touch with the local Foreign Office and other concerned local authorities for consular access to the detained/arrested Indian national to ascertain the facts of the case, his/her   Indian   nationality   and   to   ensure   his/her   welfare.   The

Embassy/Consulate remains vigilant to ensure that rights of the Indian nationals in such cases are protected.

The issue of release and repatriation of Indian nationals in such cases 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. India has also entered into prisoner transfer treaties with many nations that allow a person convicted of a crime to be transferred to his/her home country to serve the prison sentence.

Apart   from   extending   all   possible   consular   assistance   to   Indian nationals 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/Consulate 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   workers   are   provided   Pre-Departure   Orientation   &   Training (PDOT) familarizing them with living conditions, regulations of the destination  country,   soft   skills,   do's   and   dont's,   etc.   As   of   31st October 2025, PDOT Training to more than 2,22,387 prospective emigrants has been imparted.

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