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Many Indians languish in jails abroad
4,550 Indians are cooling their heels in various prisons and detention centres, writes Nilova Roy Chaudhury.
As increasing number of Indians are travelling abroad, ever larger numbers are landing in prisons abroad. A high-profile Dawood Ibrahim or Abu Salem or Monica Bedi stays in the spotlight, while a Prasad Bidappa or a Vijay Raaz, who find themselves in jail for "unknowingly" possessing drugs, make it to newspapers back home.
But what about the over 4,550 Indians, who are now cooling their heels in various prisons and detention centres spread across 84 cities globally?
While Indian missions abroad try to get Indian nationals released or reduce their sentences, in many countries, the embassy is denied access to those detained and most detainees do not find information about them conveyed even to the local Indian mission, leave aside their families.
Though most are in custody for overstaying, many have been convicted for serious crimes and are doing jail terms ranging from two to over 25 years. One in Copenhagen is serving a life term for homicide and arson.
The largest number of Indians in custody is not in the usual suspect, Pakistan. Riyadh in Saudi Arabia holds that dubious distinction with 1,444 Indian prisoners.
According to official records provided to Parliament, information about them "is not usually provided" to the Indian Embassy there.
Coming second is Abu Dhabi and Dubai, with 1,073 Indian prisoners in UAE jails. While the duration of the custody of prisoners is not available with the embassy, serious crimes like murder and drug trafficking carry sentences ranging between four and 15 years.
Dhaka comes third, with 871 Indians in custody. Other than Paresh Barua, the Ulfa chief, their details are not available, but the Indian High Commission regularly seeks consular access to them and tries to get them freed.
Islamabad has 576 Indians in custody, 371 of whom are fishermen. Kuala Lumpur, with 460 Indians and New York, with 158 detainees are among the other major detention centres.
Among the few countries where diplomacy appears to have paid dividends is Myanmar.
