MEA calls for listing of all Indians in overseas jails

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, July 19, 2014:  A government statement said,  External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has sought  all the embassies and high commissions of India around the world to keep a tab  of Indian citizens serving sentences in the jails of the foreign nations.

Swaraj has led the efforts of the Ministry of External Affairs to bring back 40 Indians, who had been convicted of damaging property of their employer at Mecca in Saudi Arabia. The 40 people– mostly from Bihar and Rajasthan – returned to New Delhi July 18.

A high court in Saudi Arabia recently sentenced them to imprisonment for two months. Though they had already served the sentence, the workers could not return as the company owner had invoked his private right of compensation for the loss of property.  MEA was informed on July 2, when some of the members of the families of the workers sought the ministers help.

She immediately intervened and the Saudi Arabian authorities responded to her request and waived compensation.  The company  also paid for the return of all the 40 workers.

Altogether 5,986 Indians are at present serving sentences in foreign countries around the world, Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh recently informed Rajya Sabha. Of them, 71 have completed their sentences but are yet to return to India. It will be beneficial for the MEA to pursue the matter.