With growing concerns over the wellbeing of Indians working abroad, the case has once again underscored the importance of diplomatic engagement and corporate responsibility in protecting Indian nationals overseas
An Indian IT professional has been in Qatari custody for over two months, with no public disclosure of the charges against him. The case has drawn attention both in India and abroad, marking the second high-profile detention of an Indian national in Qatar since 2022.
Amit Gupta, a senior executive with Tech Mahindra and a long-time resident of Qatar, was reportedly detained in early January. According to his family, based in Vadodara, Gujarat, Gupta has been falsely accused of data theft. He has been associated with Tech Mahindra for nearly 12 years and held the position of Region Head for Qatar and Kuwait, overseeing enterprise business operations.
This is the second such case in recent years. In 2022, eight former Indian Navy officers were detained in Qatar, later sentenced to death, and eventually released in early 2024 after their sentences were commuted. While seven of them have returned to India, one remains in Qatar
The Indian Embassy in Doha confirmed that it is in regular contact with Qatari authorities and Gupta’s legal team. A Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official stated, “The mission has been in touch with the family, the lawyer representing Gupta, and Qatari authorities on a regular basis.”
Gupta’s mother, Pushpa Gupta, spoke to the media in Vadodara, claiming that her son was subjected to harsh conditions during his detention, including being held for 48 hours without food or water. She traveled to Doha and was permitted a brief 30-minute meeting with him. The family is currently allowed one phone call with Gupta per week. They have also approached local MP Hemang Joshi, who has assured them that he would raise the issue with the central government.
Tech Mahindra has acknowledged Gupta’s detention and stated it is actively engaged with the family and officials in both India and Qatar. “We remain in close contact with the family, providing necessary support to them. We are also actively coordinating with authorities in both countries and adhering to due process. Ensuring the wellbeing of our colleague is our top priority,” a spokesperson for the company said.
