Delhi explores various options after Qatar death sentence

CAUGHT UNAWARES BY the death sentence in Qatar to eight Indian nationals, all former personnel of the Indian Navy, Delhi is faced with tough legal and diplomatic challenges as it plots a way out

- SHUBHAJIT ROY

India is now looking at a range of possible legal and diplomatic options to provide relief to the eight men now on death row.

According to a report in the Financial Times, the eight Indians had been charged with spying for Israel. There was no official word on the charges from the Indian side.

Sources said since the verdict has been given by Qatar's Court of First Instance, the Indian embassy in Doha is reaching out to top legal experts in Qatar, including a former government counsel in a top Qatar court, to appeal the sentence.

The embassy is turning to a couple of top lawyers in Doha for guidance on the death row case.

It is also looking at the charges and the basis on which the court took such a harsh view of the offence.

The legal challenge is also the opacity with which the entire trial has been conducted - and Delhi is trying to access the court documents.

The Qatari authorities, sources said, never gave an explanation on the exact reasons for the arrest of the eight men.

While an appeal in the higher court is being prepared with legal help, a mercy petition to the Emir of Qatar is also being pursued. "It will be a twin-track of appeal and mercy petition that is being considered, as of now," a source said.

The Emir is known to have issued pardons on Eid.

Delhi is also reaching out to Doha diplomatically since the two foreign ministries have a strong and robust relationship.

The two countries have strong economic ties LNG imports from Qatar is an important feature of these ties - and the investments by Qatar Investment Authority is substantial in India's new economy.