After eight former Indian Navy personnel were handed down death sentences by a Qatar court on Thursday, a verdict that was described as “deeply shocking” by India as it vowed to explore all legal options in the case, Opposition leaders in the country have responded in various ways and said that it hoped that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led Centre will try for their release.
The Indian nationals, who worked with private company Al Dahra, were arrested in August last year reportedly in an alleged case of espionage. Neither the Qatari authorities nor New Delhi made the charges against the Indian nationals public.
In its reaction, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said it is attaching “high importance” to this case and is exploring all legal options.
The Congress on Thursday expressed “anguish and shock” over the disturbing developments in Qatar where eight former Indian Navy personnel, who have been in custody there since last year, being awarded death sentence.
The party said it expects that the government will use its diplomatic and political leverage with the Qatar government to the maximum to ensure that former naval officers have full recourse to appeal for release.
In a post on X, Congress General Secretary (Communication) Jairam Ramesh said, “The Indian National Congress has noted with the greatest anguish, distress and shock the most disturbing developments in Qatar regarding 8 former officers of the Indian Navy.
