The Deputy Chief of Mission at the Indian embassy, P S Sasi Kumar, addressing the press conference after the monthly Open House yesterday. With him are the President of Indian Community Benevolent Forum, Kareem Abdullah, (left) and the Assistant Counselling Officer at the embassy, Shiv Lal Meena. Salim Matramkot
DOHA: There were 17 Indians among prisoners granted the Emiri pardon on the occasion of Ramadan, the Indian Ambassador, Sanjiv Arora, told a press conference yesterday.
The prisoners serving terms from six months to five years have been pardoned by the Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in a “supreme gesture”.
Since the pardon order has been issued ahead of Eid Al Fitr, they will be able to celebrate the festival with their families.
The Indians were convicted of crimes, including theft, dishonesty, driving under the influence of alcohol, sexual abuse, homosexuality, assault, rape and other offences.
The Indian embassy, like the embassies of other countries, keeps forwarding pardon requests to the government on the occasion of Eid Al Fitr and National Day.
According to the Indian embassy, four prisoners were released before the Emiri pardon. Of the 17, nine are Hindus, seven Muslims, and one is Christian.
Some were sentenced for entering others’ properties with the intention of committing crime and some for issuing dud cheques.
The embassy’s Labour and Community Welfare Wing said there were 48 Indians, including two women, in the central prison before the pardon, while 192, including 24 women, were detained at the deportation centre.
The Community Welfare Attaché at the Pakistan embassy, Rashid Nizami, said: “So far we have not received any information, however, we are expecting a list of pardoned prisoners, maybe tomorrow (today).”
An official at the Philippine embassy, who gave only his first name as John, said: “I am not authorised to provide information. Any information about the number of pardoned prisoners by the Emiri order will not be available before Sunday.”
Officials at the Nepal embassy could not be contacted despite attempts by The Peninsula.
Indian embassy Deputy Chief of Mission, P S Sasi Kumar, Assistant Counselling Officer, Shiv Lal Meena and the President of Indian Community of Benevolent Forum, Kareem Abdullah, were also present at the press conference. The Peninsula
