Lok Sabha Question No. 648 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-04-27
Subject: Indians Jailed Abroad
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: NARANBHAI KACHHADIA, RAHUL KASWAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.648 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.04.2016

## INDIANS JAILED ABROAD

## 648. SHRI NARANBHAI KACHHADIYA: SHRI RAHUL KASWAN:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  number  of  Indians  currently  incarcerated  abroad,  country-wise and the details of those who completed their prison terms and are due to be freed;
- (b) whether delays in their release has been noted and if so, the details thereof and reasons therefor;
- (c) whether India is  ensuring  that  the  basic  rights  of  Indian  prisoners abroad are being taken care of and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether the Government is in contact with  foreign governments to find out the exact number of Indian prisoners in foreign jails so as to protect the rights of Indian prisoners and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

- (a) Due  to  the  strict  provisions  of  privacy  laws,  many  countries  in Europe,  United  States  of  America,  Canada  &  Australia  do  not  share information about Indian nationals who are in their prisons.  However, as per the information available, 7213 Indian nationals are lodged in foreign jails. A list showing the number of Indians lodged in foreign prisons as on date is annexed.
- (b) to (d) As per data available, there are 479 Indian nationals who have completed their sentences and are waiting for completion of deportation formalities.  Indian  Missions  and  Posts  in  those  countries  have  taken  up with the respective foreign governments the speeding up of the process, including issue of final Exit Visas, waiver of penalties imposed on Indian workers,  etc.  from  the  concerned  authorities  and  for  the  early  return  of the  Indian  nationals  to  India.  Where  required,  the  Indian  Missions  and

Posts  abroad  also  provide  air  tickets  for  facilitating  the  return  of  the Indian prisoners who have completed their sentences to India. Indian  Missions/Posts abroad always strive to respond promptly to the  requests/appeals  by  Indian  citizens  in  distress.  As  soon  as  the information about detention/arrest of an Indian national is received by the Indian Mission/Post, it gets in touch with the local Foreign Office and other concerned local authorities to get consular access to the detained/arrested Indian national to confirm his or her Indian nationality and ensure their welfare. In some countries where pro bono lawyers are available,  the  Mission  arranges  such  legal  assistance  to  the  Indian prisoners.  Government  of  India  also  provides  initial  legal  assistance  to distressed Indian nationals in deserving cases.

Steps taken by our Missions include requesting local authorities for speedy  trials, seeking  remission  of sentence,  providing  advice  and guidance in legal and other matters, ensuring fair and humane treatment in foreign jails, issue of emergency certificates and repatriation to India of those who are released. In some countries, our Mission also requests the local government for grant of amnesty to the arrested Indians and if any mercy  petition  for  remission  of  sentences  is  received  from  the  family members of the Indian prisoners, the Mission forwards them to the local authorities  for  consideration.  India  has  signed  Treaties  for  Transfer  of Sentenced Persons with 35 countries, under which Indian prisoners have been brought back to India from some of these countries.

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## Annexure

| Indians Jailed Abroad   | Indians Jailed Abroad   | Indians Jailed Abroad   | Indians Jailed Abroad                                                             |
|-------------------------|-------------------------|-------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Sl. No.                 | Name of Country         | No. of prisoners        | No. of Indian prisoners who have completed their sentence and are due to be freed |
| 1                       | Angola                  | 2                       |                                                                                   |
| 2                       | Armenia                 | 2                       |                                                                                   |
| 3                       | Australia               | 63                      |                                                                                   |
| 4                       | Austria                 | 5                       |                                                                                   |
| 5                       | Azerbaijan              | 1                       |                                                                                   |
| 6                       | Bahrain                 | 97                      | 29                                                                                |
| 7                       | Bangladesh              | 122                     | 57                                                                                |
| 8                       | Belgium                 | 24                      |                                                                                   |
| 9                       | Bhutan                  | 61                      |                                                                                   |
| 10                      | Brunei Darussalam       | 2                       |                                                                                   |
| 11                      | Canada                  | 21                      |                                                                                   |
| 12                      | China                   | 107                     |                                                                                   |
| 13                      | Colombia                | 5                       |                                                                                   |
| 14                      | Cuba                    | 2                       |                                                                                   |
| 15                      | Cyprus                  | 2                       |                                                                                   |
| 16                      | Denmark                 | 8                       |                                                                                   |
| 17                      | Egypt                   | 5                       |                                                                                   |
| 18                      | Ethiopia                | 2                       |                                                                                   |
| 19                      | Fiji                    | 1                       |                                                                                   |
| 20                      | France                  | 48                      |                                                                                   |
| 21                      | Germany                 | 6                       |                                                                                   |
| 22                      | Ghana                   | 6                       |                                                                                   |
| 23                      | Guatemala               | 3                       |                                                                                   |
| 24                      | Indonesia               | 21                      |                                                                                   |
| 25                      | Iran                    | 26                      |                                                                                   |
| 26                      | Ireland                 | 1                       |                                                                                   |
| 27                      | Israel                  | 11                      |                                                                                   |
| 28                      | Italy                   | 137                     |                                                                                   |
| 29                      | Japan                   | 7                       |                                                                                   |
| 30                      | Jordan                  | 9                       |                                                                                   |
| 31                      | Kenya                   | 3                       |                                                                                   |
| 32                      | Korea                   | 3                       |                                                                                   |
| 33                      | Kuwait                  | 383                     |                                                                                   |
| 34                      | Kyrgyzstan              | 2                       |                                                                                   |
| 35                      | Libya                   | 1                       |                                                                                   |
| 36                      | Lebanon                 | 8                       |                                                                                   |
| 37                      | Madagascar              | 3                       |                                                                                   |
| 38                      | Malaysia                | 356                     | 201                                                                               |
| 39                      | Maldives                | 26                      |                                                                                   |
| 40                      | Mauritius               | 9                       |                                                                                   |
| 41                      | Mexico                  | 2                       |                                                                                   |

| 42   | Myanmar              |   172 |     |
|------|----------------------|-------|-----|
| 43   | Nepal                |   859 |     |
| 44   | New Zealand          |    13 |     |
| 45   | Niger                |     1 |     |
| 46   | Nigeria              |    13 |     |
| 47   | Oman                 |   187 |     |
| 48   | Pakistan             |   230 | 173 |
| 49   | Panama               |     3 | 1   |
| 50   | Philippines          |     5 |     |
| 51   | Portugal             |     4 |     |
| 52   | Qatar                |    87 |     |
| 53   | Republic of Korea    |     2 |     |
| 54   | Russian Federation   |     4 |     |
| 55   | Saudi Arabia         |  1697 | 14  |
| 56   | Senegal              |     1 |     |
| 57   | Seychelles           |     2 |     |
| 58   | Singapore            |   115 |     |
| 59   | Slovak Republic      |     2 |     |
| 60   | South Africa         |     9 |     |
| 61   | Spain                |    21 |     |
| 62   | Sri Lanka            |    32 |     |
| 63   | Tanzania             |     1 |     |
| 64   | Thailand             |    83 |     |
| 65   | United Arab Emirates |  1143 | 4   |
| 66   | United Kingdom       |   360 |     |
| 67   | USA                  |   560 |     |
| 68   | Uzbekistan           |     1 |     |
| 69   | Yemen                |     2 |     |
| 70   | Zambia               |     1 |     |
|      | Grand Total          |  7213 | 479 |

*****