Eight former Indian Navy personnel have been handed death penalty in a shocking judgement in Qatar on October 26th, 2023. The men, including decorated officers who once commanded major Indian warships, were working for a private security company in Qatar. The Indian Navy veterans, who were arrested in August 2022, are Commander Purnendu Tiwari, Commander Sugunakar Pakala, Commander Amit Nagpal, Commander Sanjeev Gupta, Captain Navtej Singh Gill, Captain Birendra Kumar Verma, Captain Saurabh Vasisht and Sailor Ragesh Gopakumar.

All of the former Navy officers had a distinguished service record of up to 20 years in the Indian Navy and had held important positions including that of instructors in the force. In 2019, Commander Purnendu Tiwari was awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman, the highest honour conferred on overseas Indians. In a post at the time, the Indian Embassy in Doha had said the award was given to Commander Tiwari for enhancing India's image abroad.

They were training Qatar armed forces and winning accolades and recognitions for their contribution, work and expertise and were suddenly arrested.  

Their bail petitions had been rejected several times and the verdict against them was pronounced on 26th October by the Court of First Instance in Qatar. 

Through this petition we implore upon the Emir of Qatar to release them and send them home. We also implore upon the Government of India to use all and any means possible including extend all consular and legal assistance, working with Qatari authorities through the diplomatic channel or even pleading their case for a mercy or clemency plea and get them home.

It is time for all of us Indians to come together and ensure our collective will and means ensure safety of our decorated heroes and get them back home.

Please sign the petition and make this a national movement.