LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 3593
ANSWERED ON- 13 MARCH 2026
ARREST OF YOUTH IN GULF COUNTRIES
†3593. MS IQRA CHOUDHARY
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware of instances wherein agents allegedly placed prohibited narcotic substances in the luggage of youths from Uttar Pradesh without their knowledge on the pretext of providing employment in Gulf countries, resulting in their arrest and imprisonment at airports abroad;
(b) if so, whether the Government has made any efforts at the diplomatic level with the concerned Gulf countries, requesting for clemency, mitigation of sentence or pardon, keeping in view the young age, lack of awareness and first- time offence of such individuals;
(c) whether the Government has district-wise details of youths from Uttar Pradesh languishing in prisons in Qatar and other Gulf countries, if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether any action has been taken against such agents and rackets in coordination with the State Government, if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the steps taken by the Government to prevent recurrence of such incidents in future?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI PABITRA MARGHERITA)
(a) Ministry and our Embassies are always alert to detention of Indian nationals, including in the Gulf. The Ministry also receives complaints related to cheating by recruiting agents/touts in the name of providing overseas employment and also problems faced by the emigrant workers abroad e.g. contract substitution, not providing promised jobs, violation of contract terms, wage disputes, long working hours, issues related to work permit etc.
(b) The Government attaches high priority to the safety, security and well-being of Indians 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, confirm his or her Indian nationality and ensure his or her welfare. Missions/Posts remain vigilant to ensure that rights of the Indian prisoners in foreign jails are protected.
Apart from extending all possible consular assistance to Indians 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.
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.
(c) As per the information available with the Ministry, the number of Indian prisoners, including undertrials, in Qatar and other Gulf countries is 5548. Country-wise list is placed at Annexure-A.
However, due to strong privacy laws, foreign governments do not share information on prisoners unless the person concerned consents to the disclosure of such information. Therefore, district-wise details of Indian Prisoners from Uttar Pradesh are not available.
(d) & (e) Any complaint against registered agents relating to the violation of the provisions under the Emigration Act, 1983, is referred to the jurisdictional Protector of Emigrants (POE) for taking necessary action as per the relevant provision under the Act. Complaints relating to violation of contract terms by the foreign employers are referred to the concerned Indian Missions/Posts abroad for taking necessary action. Complaints against unauthorized agents and touts are referred to the State enforcement agencies for taking necessary action under the provisions of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and existing State laws.