Indian Cries of Anguish from Foreign Prisons

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The case of Nimisha Priya, a nurse from Kerala who has been sentenced to death in Yemen, has brought the issue of Indian prisoners in foreign jails into sharp focus. Though diplomatic efforts are often made to secure their release, inadequate assistance and other challenges result in many Indians languishing in prisons abroad, even for minor offenses.


The Case of Nimisha Priya

Nimisha Priya had started a business with Talal Abdo Mahdi, a Yemeni citizen. He had allegedly confiscated her passport and refused to return it. In a desperate attempt to retrieve it, Nimisha administered sedatives to him. Unfortunately, the overdose led to his death. With the help of an accomplice, she later disposed of his body in a water tank. In 2017, she was sentenced to death, and her appeal against the sentence was rejected in 2023.

 

Over 10,000 Indian Prisoners Abroad

Currently, over 10,000 Indian citizens are imprisoned in various countries, and 49 of them face the death penalty. These offenses range from serious crimes like murder and drug trafficking to petty thefts. However, lack of legal awareness, financial aid, and language barriers often prevent these individuals from properly defending themselves in court. In many cases, insufficient diplomatic support leads to Indian prisoners remaining behind bars for years.

 

Gulf Countries – A Difficult Terrain

A large number of Indian prisoners are in Gulf countries, which have the strictest laws and judicial systems.



Many Indians migrate to Gulf nations for employment. Once there, they often face severe hardships:

  • Employers confiscate passports and delay salary payments.
  • The work conditions are extremely harsh, which sometimes leads workers to take desperate measures.
  • Lack of understanding of local laws, absence of proper legal aid, and language barriers make the situation worse.
  • Strict anti-narcotics laws also result in several death penalty cases.

 

‘Blood Money’ as a Legal Alternative

In some West Asian countries, a legal provision known as "blood money" exists. In cases of murder, the accused can be released if the victim’s family accepts monetary compensation. However, these discussions happen privately, so government authorities cannot directly participate.


Countries with the Highest Number of Indian Prisoners


Efforts by the Ministry of External Affairs

The Indian Embassies and High Commissions constantly work to ensure the safety and welfare of Indians abroad, including those in prisons. If an Indian is arrested, the Indian missions:

  • Maintain contact with local foreign offices and investigative agencies
  • Ensure prisoners receive legal representation and consular access
  • Advocate for speedy trials and investigation
  • Monitor human rights conditions within the prisons
  • Pursue transfer agreements with foreign countries, allowing convicted Indians to serve their remaining sentence in India
  • Provide free legal aid through empaneled local lawyers
  • Offer emergency financial assistance through the Indian Community Welfare Fund

 

Indian citizens imprisoned abroad face immense challenges — legal, financial, and emotional. While the Indian government and missions continue their efforts, the complexities of foreign laws, regional politics, and diplomatic limitations often make this a slow and difficult process.

The case of Nimisha Priya is not just an isolated tragedy, but a stark reminder of the many unheard cries echoing from foreign jails — cries that deserve both justice and humanity.

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