The most Indian prisoners are in Saudi Arabia (2,633), followed by the United Arab Emirates (2,518) and Nepal (1,317), the government said New Delhi: There are 10,152 Indian nationals in prison in 86 countries across the globe, and the maximum are in Saudi Arabia (2,633), the United Arab Emirates (2,518) and Nepal (1,317), official data presented in Parliament on Thursday.
The overall figure comprises 2,684 Indians who are being tried abroad, minister of State for external affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh informed the Rajya Sabha in a written response to a question. At present, as per the available information with the ministry, there are 10,152 Indian prisoners, including under-trials, in foreign jails,” Singh replied.
As per figures submitted by Singh on a question put by Trinamool Congress (TMC) legislator Saket Gokhale, the maximum numbers of Indian prisoners were held in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Nepal. There were also substantial numbers of Indian prisoners in Qatar (611), Kuwait (387), Malaysia (338), the UK (288), Pakistan (266), Bahrain (181), China (173), the US (169), Italy (168), and Oman (148).
Saudi Arabia also had the largest number of under-trial Indian prisoners with 1,226, while other nations that had significant numbers of under-trial prisoners included the UAE (294), Bahrain (144), Qatar (123), and Malaysia (121).
Singh replied to another question by Indian Union Muslim League legislator Haris Beeran that 54 Indian nationals had been sentenced to death by foreign courts. The UAE (29) and Saudi Arabia (12) have the most Indians on death row. Indian missions offer all assistance available to Indians who have been sentenced, including death sentences, by foreign courts, he added.
This support comprises consular access through visiting prisons and pursuing their cases with courts, prisons, public prosecutors and other foreign country agencies. “The Indian nationals in custody are also supported in seeking different legal remedies like filing of appeal, mercy petition etc,” Singh added.
