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LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 1147
ANSWERED ON - 25/07/2025

INDIAN CITIZENS IMPRISONED IN FOREIGN JAILS

1147. SHRI V K SREEKANDAN
SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH
SHRI THIRU THANGA TAMILSELVAN
DR. GANAPATHY RAJKUMAR P

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) the details of Indian citizens currently imprisoned and languishing on death row in many foreign jails, as on date, country-wise;

(b) the number of such persons who are under trial, convicted, or facing charges;

(c) the number of Indian citizens who have completed their sentence but are yet to be released or repatriated, along with reasons for delay;

(d) the measures taken by the Indian Government to ensure legal assistance, consular access, and timely release from jail or deportation of such individuals;

(e) whether the Indian embassies have been asked to take appropriate steps in this regard, if so, the details thereof; and

(f) whether the Union Government has received any request from the Government of Tamil Nadu to release/bring back 29 fishermen being kept in Sri Lankan jail, if so, the action taken/proposed to be taken in this regard ?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a to c) As per the information available with the Ministry, the number of Indian prisoners, including undertrials, in foreign prisons at present is 10574. Country-wise list is placed at Annexure A.

The details of Indian citizens currently imprisoned and languishing on death row in foreign jails are as follows:

However, 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. Even, countries which share information do not generally provide detailed information about the foreign nationals imprisoned.

(d & e) The Government attaches high priority to the safety, security and well-being of Indian nationals 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. 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, his/her Indian nationality and ensure his/her welfare. Missions/Posts remain vigilant to ensure that rights of the Indian prisoners in foreign jails are protected.

The issue of release and repatriation of Indian nationals in foreign prisons is regularly pursued by Indian Missions and Posts abroad with the local authorities concerned. Missions/Posts abroad also approach the law enforcement agencies to complete the investigation and judicial proceedings at the earliest possible. The Government also follows up this issue during consular and other consultations with other countries. In addition, 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. India has also entered into prisoner transfer treaties with many nations that allow a person convicted of a crime to be transferred to his/her home country to serve the prison sentence.

Apart from extending all possible consular assistance to Indian nationals imprisoned abroad, 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. No fee is charged from any Indian prisoner for extending facilities by the Indian Embassy concerned. The Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) is set up in Indian Missions & Posts abroad for assisting overseas Indian nationals in distress situations on a means tested basis in deserving cases. The support extended under ICWF includes financial assistance to Indian prisoners for legal aid as well as travel documents / air tickets during repatriation.

(f) As of 15 July 2025, a total of 28 Indian fishermen are in Sri Lankan custody, of whom 27 are from Tamil Nadu and one fisherman is from Puducherry.

Government of India attaches high priority to the safety, security and welfare of Indian fishermen. The Government has been consistently taking up these issues, including the early release and repatriation of Indian fishermen and fishing boats, with the Sri Lankan Government through bilateral mechanisms, diplomatic channels, and various official interactions, including by the Prime Minister in his recent meeting (05 April 2025) with the Sri Lankan President. In all our interactions, it has been conveyed that this issue may be considered purely on humanitarian and livelihood grounds.

All issues related to fishermen are also dealt with through bilateral institutional mechanisms such as the regular meetings of the Joint Working Group on fisheries, which includes representatives from the Government of Tamil Nadu. The last JWG meeting on fisheries was held on 29 October 2024.

Further, Indian Consular officials continue to make regular visits to local jails and detention centers to ascertain the condition of Indian fishermen and provide requisite support and necessary legal assistance to ensure their welfare and assist with their early release and repatriation.