New Delhi: Amit Gupta, the region head of Qatar and Kuwait for Tech Mahindra, has been detained in Doha, by the Qatari State Security since January this year on charges of possible data-theft, according to his family. The Indian Embassy in Doha is providing all “possible assistance” to Gupta, said people familiar with the matter Saturday.
Gupta, originally from Vadodara, moved to Qatar in 2013 as a part of Tech Mahindra, and is the region head for the firm, according to his LinkedIn profile. This is the second instance since 2022 of Indians being detained in Qatar.
“Mission has been in touch with the family, the lawyer representing Mr Gupta and Qatari Authorities on a regular basis. Our Embassy continues to provide all possible assistance in the matter and is closely following the case,” said a person familiar with the matter. However, the charges against Gupta have not been released.
Gupta’s wife has sought the intervention of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), while his father Jagdish Gupta has reached out to Anand Mahindra, chairman of Mahindra Group, for assistance in the case, according to media reports.
According to a local Vadodara-based news outlet, Gupta’s family maintains he is innocent and has been falsely accused of data theft. Meanwhile, his family has also reached out to the Member of Parliament from Vadodara Hemang Joshi, who has promised to assist them. Gupta’s mother Pushpa Gupta is reported to have travelled to Qatar and met with the Indian ambassador there, but that there has been no “positive” response yet.
In August 2022, eight former Indian Navy personnel were detained on charges of espionage. They were accused of spying on Doha’s programme to obtain Italian-made, high-tech submarines.
The legal proceedings against the eight personnel began in March 2023. In October 2023, a Qatari court sentenced eight of them to death. In November of that year, the Indian Embassy received their second consular access to the eight personnel.
The eight personnel—seven officers and one sailor—were all employees of Dahra Global Technologies and Consultancy Services. In December 2023, the death sentences were commuted by the Court of Appeals in Qatar, with some of the personnel receiving life sentences, while others received reduced terms.
Eventually in February 2024, the eight personnel were pardoned by the Qatari Amir, with seven of them returning to India.
(Edited by Mannat Chugh)
Qatar is the most problematic of all Middle Eastern nations. It is whimsical and plays all sides. Indian companies must be very cautious when dealing with the Qataris. And Indian citizens must avoid being in Qatar as far as possible.