Total 8278 Indian Prisoners In Foreign Jail, 156 Serving Life Sentence; Extending All Possible Consular Assistance, Providing Legal Aid Wherever Needed, MEA

Notably, as per the information of 81 countries available with the Ministry, the top 5 countries in which highest number of Indians are in jails include United Arab Emirates (1,480), Saudi Arabia (1,392), Nepal (1,112), Pakistan (701) and Qatar (473). Similarly, the top 5 countries in which the highest number of Indians are serving life sentences include Malaysia (47), Kuwait (28), Bahrain (13), China (13) and Oman (12).

The aforesaid information was provided in response to the questions raised by MPs Dr. Alok Kumar Suman and E.T. Mohammed Basheer seeking country-wise details of Indian prisoners, who are languishing in foreign jails for a very long period.

The Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs V. Muraleedharan stated that due to strong privacy laws prevailing in many countries, the local authorities do not share information on prisoners unless the person concerned consents to the disclosure of such information. It was added that even countries which share information do not generally provide detailed information about the foreigners imprisoned.

Further, the MPs MPs Dr. Alok Kumar Suman and E.T. Mohammed Basheer also raised following questions:

"(c) whether the Government has taken any measures to bring back the Indians who are in foreign jails and to expedite the process in this regard;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the number of prisoners exchanged by India during the last two years and current year, country-wise?"

MoS V. Muraleedharan mentioned that the Government attaches 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, he added.

Further, he also stated,

"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 Indian nationality and ensure his welfare. Apart from extending them all possible consular assistance, 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."

He informed that the issue of repatriation of Indian nationals in foreign prisons is regularly pursued by Indian Missions and Posts abroad with the local authorities concerned. He added that the Government also follows up this issue during consular and other consultations with other countries, including in the context of bilateral agreements for Transfer of Sentenced Persons [TSP], wherever applicable. In addition, he stated that 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.

In addition to this, he informed that from January, 2020 till February, 2022, 2 Indian nationals have been transferred from Sri Lanka to India, 1 German national has been transferred from India to Germany and 2 Bangladeshi nationals have been transferred from India to Bangladesh under the Repatriation of Prisoners Act, 2003 to serve the remainder of their sentence.

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