India assists citizen detained in Qatar over alleged data theft

New Delhi: India is providing all possible assistance to Amit Gupta, an Indian citizen from Vadodara, Gujarat, who has been detained in Qatar over allegations of data theft, sources familiar with the matter said. An investigation into the case is ongoing.

Gupta, a senior employee at Tech Mahindra, was taken into custody by Qatari authorities on January 1, according to his mother, Pushpa Gupta. His father further stated that he was detained by Qatar’s state security.

The Indian embassy in Qatar is aware of Gupta’s detention and is closely monitoring the situation, sources said on condition of anonymity. The embassy has been in regular contact with Gupta’s family, his legal representatives, and Qatari officials.

Gupta’s family has asserted his innocence, claiming he has been wrongfully accused of data theft. They have appealed for his immediate release and sought intervention from the Prime Minister’s Office.

"Our embassy continues to provide all possible assistance and remains engaged in the matter," a source stated without disclosing further details regarding the charges against Gupta.

Gupta’s mother, who traveled to Qatar to seek information about her son’s case, said she met the Indian ambassador there. However, she was informed that no "positive response" had been received regarding his situation.

BJP MP Hemang Joshi confirmed that Gupta had been working in Qatar for Tech Mahindra for the past decade before his arrest by Qatari security personnel.

"His parents spent a month in Qatar trying to meet him but were unsuccessful," Joshi told reporters.

This marks the second case in recent years involving the detention of an Indian national in Qatar. In 2022, eight former Indian Navy officers were arrested and later sentenced to death in 2023. Their sentences were subsequently commuted, and they were released in February 2024 following an order from the Qatari Emir.

With IANS inputs