Parliament Question: Indian in Riyadh Jail of Saudi Arabia

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 2116 ANSWERED ON – 01/08/2025 INDIAN IN RIYADH JAIL OF SAUDI ARABIA †2116. SHRI RAKESH RATHOR

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) the steps being taken by the Government to bring back Indians who have gone abroad to work and are languishing in foreign jails;

(b) whether the Ministry is aware of the case that Shri Dharmendra Kumar, a resident of Sitapur Parliamentary Constituency has been imprisoned for the last two months in Riyadh jail of Saudi Arabia; and

(c) if so, the action has been taken by the Ministry in the said case? 1ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a) The Government attaches high priority to the safety, security and well-being of Indian nationals in foreign countries, including those in the foreign jails. Indian Missions/Posts abroad remain vigilant and closely monitor the incidents of Indian nationals being put in jail in foreign countries for violation/ alleged violation of local laws. As soon as the information about the detention/arrest of an Indian national is received by an Indian Mission/Post, the Embassy/Consulate officials immediately get in touch with the local Foreign Office and other concerned local authorities for consular access to the detained/arrested Indian national to ascertain the facts of the case, his/her Indian nationality and to ensure his/her welfare. Missions/Posts remain vigilant to ensure that rights of the Indian prisoners in foreign jails are protected.

The issue of release and repatriation of Indian nationals in foreign prisons is regularly pursued by Indian Missions and Posts abroad with the local authorities concerned. Missions/Posts abroad also approach the law enforcement agencies to complete the investigation and 2judicial proceedings at the earliest possible. The Government also follows up this issue during consular and other consultations with other countries. In addition, the Government, through its Missions/Posts abroad and during high level visits, also takes up and pursues grant of amnesty/commutation of sentences of Indian prisoners in foreign countries. India has also entered into prisoner transfer treaties with many nations that allow a person convicted of a crime to be transferred to his/her home country to serve the prison sentence.

Apart from extending all possible consular assistance to Indian nationals imprisoned abroad, Indian Missions and Posts also assist in providing legal aid wherever needed. Missions and Posts also maintain a local panel of lawyers where Indian community is in sizeable numbers. No fee is charged from any Indian prisoner for extending facilities by the Indian Embassy concerned. The Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) is set up in Indian Missions & Posts abroad for assisting overseas Indian nationals in distress situations on a means tested basis in deserving cases. The support extended under ICWF includes financial assistance to Indian prisoners for legal aid as well as travel documents / air tickets during repatriation.

(b) & (c) Shri Dharmendra Kumar Ram Deen was arrested on

24.04.2025. Officials of the Embassy of India, Riyadh, visited the 3Riyadh Central Jail and provided consular access to Shri Dharmendra Kumar. He was released from Jail on 14.07.2025. After his release, Embassy officials communicated with his sponsor and got the Final Exit paper which was mandatory for his travelling back to India. Shri Dharmendra Kumar reached India safely on 18.7.2025. Embassy officials were in regular touch with his family for extending all possible assistance.

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