New Delhi: Amit Gupta, the region head of Tech Mahindra for Qatar and Kuwait, was arrested by Qatari authorities at the start of this year in connection with an alleged corruption case they are probing, ThePrint has learnt. Sources in the know said no charges have been framed yet, adding that details will be known only once the charges are framed.
Without specifying if the charges were only against Gupta or whether others were involved, sources said he was arrested on 1 January since he was the region head.
Asked about the ongoing investigation and potential corruption charges, a Tech Mahindra spokesperson said in an email response to ThePrint, “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 the due process. Ensuring the wellbeing of our colleague is our top priority.”
Gupta moved to Qatar in 2013 as a part of Tech Mahindra and is the firm’s region head for the West Asian country along with Kuwait. The Indian embassy in Doha has been in touch with Gupta and his lawyers and is providing “all possible assistance” in the case.
Gupta’s family has rejected allegations of potential data theft, according to local media reports emanating from Vadodara. However, Gupta’s mother Pushpa Gupta, indicated that he was possibly arrested due to his position and investigations into the firm.
Gupta’s family has reached out to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and Anand Mahindra, the chairman of Mahindra Group, for assistance. Hemang Joshi, the Member of Parliament representing Vadodara, has also assured the family of his assistance.
Gupta’s mother even reportedly travelled to Qatar and met with Indian embassy officials in Doha, but has not received a positive response yet.
This is the second high-profile case in Qatar involving Indian nationals since 2022. A little over a year ago, the Amir of Qatar pardoned eight Indian naval personnel—seven officers and one sailor—who were detained by Qatari authorities in August 2022 on charges of spying on Doha’s programme to obtain high-tech Italian-made submarines.
Legal proceedings against the eight personnel began in March 2023, and in October 2023, they were sentenced to death. In December 2023, the death sentences were commuted by the Court of Appeals in Qatar. Some were handed life sentences, and others reduced terms.
Eventually, in February 2024, days before Prime Minister Narendra Modi was set to visit Qatar, the eight personnel were pardoned by Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
The Amir of Qatar travelled to New Delhi last month, where the two sides agreed to elevate ties to a “strategic partnership” along with exploring a potential free trade agreement and at least $10 billion in investments by Qatar’s Sovereign Wealth Fund in India.
(Edited by Sugita Katyal)
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