Decision on next steps after studying Qatar verdict on ex-navy personnel: MEA
Hindustan TimesNEW DELHI: A day after a Qatari court commuted the death sentence of eight former Indian Navy personnel, India said on Friday it will decide on possible next steps after studying the detailed verdict and discussing the matter with the legal team and the families of the men. Qatar’s Court of Appeal commuted the death sentence and gave the men prison terms ranging from three years to 25 years on Thursday The eight men – Captains Navtej Gill and Saurabh Vasisht, Commanders Purnendu Tiwari, Amit Nagpal, SK Gupta, BK Verma and Sugunakar Pakala, and sailor Ragesh – had been sentenced to death by Qatar’s Court of First Instance on October 26 after being detained for more than a year on undeclared charges. Qatar’s Court of Appeal commuted the death sentence and gave the men prison terms ranging from three years to 25 years on Thursday. The interests of the Indians and their family members is our foremost concern.” Responding to a question on whether India would invoke a 2015 agreement with Qatar on the transfer of sentenced prisoners, Bagchi said it wasn’t clear if the pact had been ratified by the Qatari side.