The recent execution of Shahzadi Khan in the UAE has raised significant concerns about Indian nationals who are on death row abroad. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed her execution after her father submitted a petition. In a troubling turn, two more Indians were executed soon after.
Current Statistics on Death Row Indians
The MEA reports that 49 Indian nationals are currently facing death sentences abroad. The UAE tops the list with 25 Indians on death row, followed by Saudi Arabia with 11 cases. There are also other countries where Indian citizens have received death sentences, but the figures are lower.
India’s Diplomatic Approach
The MEA provides support to Indian citizens who are sentenced abroad. This process consists of three stages: arrest, judicial proceedings, and the potential for a pardon. After a sentence is handed down, the embassy’s role becomes quite limited. It’s usually the family members who take the lead in submitting pardon appeals. The embassy then sends these requests to the foreign office, hoping to get the ruler’s attention.
About Blood Money
In some Gulf nations, sentences can be commuted through blood money. This compensation must be accepted by both the state and the victim’s family. However, the nature of the crime can influence whether the state agrees to this arrangement. Blood money serves as an alternative to retribution, but it is not guaranteed in all cases.
Challenges Faced by Indian Embassies
The role of Indian embassies can be severely restricted, especially in authoritarian regimes like Saudi Arabia. Often, embassies are not informed about arrests until after executions occur. This lack of transparency complicates the embassy’s ability to intervene effectively. In cases where the accused confesses, the embassy’s options are further limited.
Successful Interventions by India
India has effectively intervened in various death penalty cases. Thanks to diplomatic efforts, eight Indian navy veterans who were sentenced to death in Qatar were released. Additionally, Gurdip Singh was spared from execution in Indonesia due to the intervention of the Government of India, even though the initial court rulings were not in his favor. These cases highlight the power of diplomatic negotiations to influence outcomes.
