The appellate court's decision is widely regarded as a substantial diplomatic victory for India, particularly since it follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi's discussion with Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani during the COP28 Summit in Dubai just weeks earlier.
After the meeting on December 1, Modi said they discussed the well-being of the Indian community in Qatar.
The individuals, employees of Doha-based Al Dahra Global Technologies, were detained in August 2022. Despite Qatari authorities not disclosing the charges, they were handed a death sentence by Qatar's Court of First Instance in October of the same year. Al Dahra Global Technologies was engaged in providing training and other services to Qatar's armed forces and security agencies.
“Our Ambassador to Qatar and other officials were present in the Court of Appeal today, along with the family members. We have stood by them since the beginning of the matter and we will continue to extend all consular and legal assistance. We will also continue to take up the matter with the Qatari authorities,” the statement said.
The ministry highlighted the anticipation for a comprehensive judgment while emphasizing its ongoing close coordination with both the legal team and the affected family members. This collaboration is essential in determining the appropriate course of action in light of the anticipated detailed judgment.
“Due to the confidential and sensitive nature of proceedings of this case, it would not be appropriate to make any further comment at this juncture,” the MEA said.
Among the eight individuals, Captain Navtej Gill stands out for receiving the prestigious President's Gold Medal for his exceptional performance upon graduating from the Naval Academy. He further contributed to the Navy as an instructor at the Defence Services Staff College in Wellington, Tamil Nadu. The remaining members include Captain Saurabh Vasisht, Commanders Purnendu Tiwari, Amit Nagpal, SK Gupta, BK Verma, Sugunakar Pakala, and Sailor Ragesh, all of whom were part of this group.
