(a) the number of Indians in foreign jails, country wise;
(b) whether any of these Indians were infected with COVID-19 in prisons and if so, the details thereof;
(c) the measures being taken by the Government to provide assistance to these Indians; and
(d) the number of prisoners exchanged by India with foreign countries through ‘The Repatriation of Prisoners’ Act?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]
(a) As per the information available with the Ministry, the number of Indian prisoners in foreign jails as of 28.02.2021 is 7890, which also includes under-trials. Country-wise list is given at Annexure.
(b) Details about the number of Indian prisoners who were infected with COVID-19 is not available with the Ministry as due to strong privacy laws prevailing in many countries the local authorities do not share information on prisoners unless the person concerned consents to the disclosure of such information. Even countries which share information, do not generally provide detailed information about the people of foreign countries imprisoned.
(c) Indian Missions/Posts abroad remain vigilant and closely monitor the incidents of Indian nationals being put in jail in foreign countries for violation of local laws or alleged violation of local laws. Apart from extending them all possible consular assistance, Indian Missions and Posts also assist in providing legal aid wherever needed. Missions and Posts also maintain a local panel of lawyers where Indian community is in sizeable numbers.
There is a regular process of consultation and coordination with countries concerned on the issue of repatriation of Indian nationals in foreign prisons including in the context of bilateral agreements for Transfer of Sentenced Persons (TSP).
In addition, the Government through its Missions/Posts abroad also takes up and pursues grant of amnesty / commutation of sentences of Indian prisoners in foreign countries.
(d) 81 prisoners, including 73 Indian prisoners, have been transferred to their country of nationality under the Repatriation of Prisoners Act, 2003 to serve the remainder of their sentence.
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