The 8 Indian men facing death penalty in Qatar

The eight ex-naval men were the employees of a private firm, Dahra Global Technologies and Consultancy Services, in Doha. (Photo by Robert Klank via Unsplash)

The death sentence handed down to eight Indians in Qatar has rattled all Indians. Indians who work abroad, Indians who are at the mercy of another government, Indians who learn how to navigate the laws and rules in a foreign land… As a tourist or immigrant, one is always conscious of being on alien soil. Expats know that their work carries a high amount of scrutiny. And they are aware of this with every breath.

In the case of Commander Purnendu Tiwari, Commander Sugunakar Pakala, Commander Amit Nagpal, Commander Sanjeev Gupta, Captain Navtej Singh Gill, Captain Birendra Kumar Verma, Captain Saurabh Vasisht and Sailor Ragesh Gopakumar – whose names are currently blazing in the headlines – they are experienced professionals with former careers in the defence services.

The eight ex-naval men were the employees of a private firm, Dahra Global Technologies and Consultancy Services, in Doha. Last August, in the dead of night, they were picked up from their respective residences for questioning. In March this year, charges were filed, and though the details of these were not made public, they reportedly stand accused of espionage. And now comes the death penalty.

Which brings up many issues: about the opaque nature of the goings-on in a land faraway, of being in the dark about it all. Being incarcerated with no contact with the outside world is as bizarre as it is surreal. Their families back home are running from pillar to post for help, with the media doing its best to make sense of the case.

When the Court of First Instance in Qatar’s Ministry of External Affairs gave the verdict, it also announced the fate of the eight men charged with spying on a submarine programme. The Indian government, deeply shocked by the verdict of death penalty, says it is awaiting the detailed judgment. The Ministry of External Affairs has said in a statement, ‘We are in touch with the family members and the legal team, and we are exploring all legal options… We attach high importance to this case and have been following it closely. We will continue to extend all consular and legal assistance. We will also take up the verdict with Qatari authorities.’

But how much access does any country have to another country’s methods and modus operandi? India has said it is exploring all legal options. The Middle East is, after all, where many Indians earn a living. It is their sense of safety, too, at stake.

It can only be hoped that the charges will suddenly and magically be proved wrong and the men can return home.