Agra: It took 18 months of legal battles and diplomatic efforts before Cdr. Sanjeev Gupta (retd.) was able to return home from Qatar. He and seven other veterans of the Indian Navy were jailed in Qatar on the charges of espionage. Their families spent sleepless nights as the eight were later sentenced to death. In December, the capital punishment was commuted to jail terms. Cdr. Gupta (retd.) and six others were then flown back home in the second week of February. The story of his release has bolstered the belief among Indians about the rising international stature of their country. Excerpts:
ThePrint: Welcome back home, sir. How are you feeling right now?
Cdr. Gupta (retd.): Thank you. Yes, it’s an overwhelming feeling to be back home after such a long and arduous ordeal. I’m filled with a mix of emotions — relief, gratitude, and also a sense of pride in my country. Coming home, I received a grand welcome from my family and neighbors. My father offered me ‘Petha’ (a sweet) when I entered my home.
ThePrint: Can you walk us through what it was like during your time in prison in Qatar?
Cdr. Gupta (retd.): It was undoubtedly one of the most challenging periods of my life. Being accused of false espionage charges and subsequently being imprisoned was a nightmare. The uncertainty, the isolation, and the constant battle to prove my innocence took a toll on me, both mentally and emotionally. However, I am grateful for the support I received from my family, friends, and foremost, Prime Minister Modi and Indian Ambassador Vipul, which helped me stay strong throughout.
ThePrint: Why did you go to Qatar after retiring from the Indian Navy?
Cdr. Gupta (retd.): Following my voluntary retirement, I was living in Noida. There, I received an offer to provide training to Qatar Navy officers on behalf of the Al Dahra company in 2018. More than 8.5 lakh Indians are living in Qatar and my wife Rekha and younger daughter were also living there with me. My daughter studied there till intermediate and after that, she returned to India for her studies. In June 2022, Rekha also left her job in Qatar and we returned to India for our daughter. In July, I returned to Qatar, leaving both of them, and in August, I was imprisoned.
ThePrint: How did you manage to cope with such adversity during your time in prison?
Cdr. Gupta (retd.): It wasn’t easy, I must say. But I tried to focus on maintaining my mental resilience. I was kept in a small room with just a TV that had mostly Arabic language programming. For a month I was rigorously interrogated and then I came to know from an Indian channel on the TV that I had been given a death sentence by the Qatar court. I remained in shock for a week, but could not understand what I had done to deserve this. After that, I took a ‘Maun Vrat’ (silence) for a year as there was nobody to talk to while living confined in that room.
ThePrint: What kept you hopeful during those dark times?
Cdr. Gupta (retd.): My faith and belief in the Indian government kept me hopeful. I knew in my heart that I was innocent, and I was determined to strive for my freedom until the very end. Moreover, my military training kept me motivated to stay mentally strong and resilient.
ThePrint: Were you in contact with the other fellow officers while in prison?
Cdr. Gupta (retd.): No. I wasn’t even aware initially that others were also facing similar charges. It was only after release from prison, that we met each other at the India House in Qatar. The parents of one of the officers also live in Qatar; they had to face many difficulties in returning to India.
ThePrint: Now that you’re back home, what are your plans?
Cdr. Gupta (retd.): My immediate plan is to spend quality time with my family and loved ones, who have been my pillars of strength throughout this ordeal. After a long time, I have arrived in Agra to attend a wedding, and after the wedding I intend to go to Tirupati Balaji for a ‘darshan’ (seek blessings) with my wife who snatched my life from Yamraj like Savitri.
ThePrint: What message would you like to convey to others who may be facing similar challenges?
Cdr. Gupta (retd.): To anyone facing adversity or injustice, I would say: stay strong, have faith, and never lose hope. Believe in the power of truth and justice, and never underestimate the strength of resilience. And remember, you are not alone. Reach out for support, and together, we can overcome even the toughest of challenges.
(Edited by Tony Rai)
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