"We are deeply shocked:" Indian Government On Death Penalty To 8 Navy Veterans

A court in Qatar sentenced eight former Navy officers to death, and Indian government expressed “deep shock” over the verdict. Responding to the judgement, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that they will explore all possible legal actions.

“We are deeply shocked by the verdict of death penalty and are awaiting the detailed judgement. We are in touch with the family members and the legal team, and we are exploring all legal options,” Ministry said in an official statement.

They also added that government gives “high importance” to the case and closely following it. All the consular and legal aid will be furthered and will raise the judgement with Qatari Authorities, the ministry said. Then, acknowledging the confidential nature of the case, MEA said that they refuse to comment further.

Similarly, Congress has also expressed their “distress” and “shock” at Qatar”s verdict; Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh wrote on X that they hope and expects that Indian government will employ all its “diplomatic and political leverage with the Qatar government” to ensure the earliest release of the officers.

The Indian National Congress has noted with the greatest anguish, distress and shock the most disturbing developments in Qatar regarding 8 former officers of the Indian Navy. It hopes and expects that the Govt of India will use its diplomatic and political leverage with the Qatar…

— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) October 26, 2023

These high-profile officers, commanded Indian warships earlier, were working for Dahra Global Technologies and Consultancy Services, a private firm giving training and services to armed forces in Qatar. NDTV reports from close sources that some of officers were working on a highly sensitive project also.

It was on August last year, Qatar imprisoned eight veteran navy officers suspecting them as spies associating with while they were working in the firm in Qatar.

The sentenced are identified as Captain Navtej Singh Gill, Captain Birendra Kumar Verma, Captain Saurabh Vasisht, Commander Amit Nagpal, Commander Purnendu Tiwari, Commander Sugunakar Pakala, Commander Sanjeev Gupta and Sailor Ragesh.

Though they submitted pleas  number of times, they were rejected and even their detention was extended by Qatari authorities.