8 Ex Indian Navy Officers given death sentence in Qatar

In a shocking development, 8 former Indian Navy officers are given death sentence in Qatar by the judiciary of Qatar.

All the eight former officers were serving their time in jail since August last year. Qatar never made the accusations against those officers public.

The death sentence of former Navy officers raises several questions whose answers cannot be found at the moment.

Shocked Indian Government

Reacting to the judgement, the Indian government said that it was shocked over the development. The government assured that it will make all the efforts to change the judgement and will explore all the legal options to release those former officers.

The eight Indian officers included decorated officers as well. These officers were working for the Al Dahra Global Technologies and Consultancy Services, which is a private firm providing training and other services to the armed forces of Qatar.

The authorities declined their bail plea several times and instead extended their detention period.

The Ministry of External Affairs, India has expressed its distress by saying "We have initial information that the Court of First Instance of Qatar has today passed a judgement in the case involving 8 Indian employees of Al Dahra company. We are deeply shocked by the verdict of death penalty and are awaiting the detailed judgement."

The ministry said that it is in touch with the legal team and will explore the legal options. It also said that the ministry is attaching high importance to the case and will follow it closely.

The ministry said “We will continue to extend all consular and legal assistance. We will also take up the verdict with Qatari authorities.” and refused to talk more about it citing confidential issues."

Citing confidential sources, HT said that Qatari and India government have never disclosed any information on the charges against the ex officers. Apart from this, Qatari government has also expelled an Indian journalist and his spouse as they were covering this particular case.

The former navy officers had their first ever trial during late march.

Meetu Bhargava, sister of one of the officers took to X to say "These Ex Navy officers are the pride of the nation & again I request our Hon'ble Prime Minister with folded hands that it is high time that they all are brought back to India immediately without any further delay pl. @arendramodi @AmitShah @rajnathsingh @MOS_MEA"