It has been four months since the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, pardoned eight former Indian naval officers who were facing espionage charges. While seven of the officers have returned to India, Commander Purnendu Tiwary remains detained in Doha, causing significant distress to his family.
His sister, Meetu Bhargava, has made a public plea on social media, urging Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Emir of Qatar, and India's Minister of External Affairs, Dr. S. Jaishankar, to intervene and facilitate Tiwary's immediate return.
"We are humbly requesting the kind intervention of the authorities to bring my brother home," Bhargava stated in her appeal. "Our 86-year-old mother is growing increasingly anxious as each day passes, and we are deeply concerned for his well-being."
The circumstances surrounding Tiwary's continued detention remain unclear. While he was pardoned alongside the other officers in February, it appears there are unresolved legal or logistical issues preventing his repatriation.
The timing of Bhargava's appeal is significant, as it coincides with Dr. S. Jaishankar's official visit to Qatar. It is hoped that this diplomatic engagement will provide an opportunity to address Tiwary's case and secure his return to India.
The eight Indian naval officers were arrested in Qatar in 2022 on suspicion of espionage for Israel. They were initially sentenced to death, but their sentences were later commuted to life imprisonment. The Emir's pardon in February was seen as a major diplomatic victory for India.
