New Delhi: The Indian government has announced that eight former Navy personnel, sentenced to death by a Qatari court in October, will face commuted punishments. The details of the reduced terms, likely involving substantial jail time, remain unclear as the judgment has not been released, and the charges against them were never made public.
The individuals sentenced are Purnendu Tiwari, Sugunakar Pakala, Amit Nagpal, and Sanjeev Gupta (Commanders), Navtej Singh Gill, Birendra Kumar Verma, and Saurabh Vasisht (Captains), and Sailor Ragesh Gopakumar. These highly-decorated military personnel, who once commanded Indian warships, were working for a private firm providing training and services to Qatar’s armed forces.
The arrests took place in August of the previous year, and the death sentences were handed down on October 26 after a brief trial in March. Despite numerous bail denials during their incarceration and trial, an appeal was lodged, and last month, the Qatari court accepted it.
The Indian government affirmed its commitment to supporting the individuals, stating that it is in close contact with the legal team and family members to decide on the next steps. Consular and legal assistance will continue to be extended, and the matter will be raised with Qatari authorities.
