Back home, ex-Navy man relives 531 days of uncertainty in Qatar
Hindustan Times|February 15, 2024
{HOME AT LAST} FREED ON SUNDAY
Rahul Singh
Back home, ex-Navy man relives 531 days of uncertainty in Qatar

Commander Sanjeev Gupta (retd), one of the eight former Indian Navy personnel sentenced to death in Qatar on undeclared charges but freed from 17-month captivity on February 11 after painstaking negotiations between the two countries at the highest levels, often contemplated what-ifs in his prison cell in Doha in the early days.

What if he never sets foot on Indian soil again? What if he never gets to see his wife or hug his two young daughters? What if he was doomed to die in the detention facility?

"Those 17-plus months were horrendous. The first six months were even worse. At times, I got this feeling that I might die there," the 56-year-old said in an interview at his 20th floor Noida apartment, three days after all the men were released, and seven of them have already returned home, in a dramatic turn of events.

Last December, Qatar's Court of Appeal commuted the death sentences awarded to the menGupta, Captains Navtej Gill and Saurabh Vasisht, Commanders Purnendu Tiwari, Amit Nagpal, BK Verma and Sugunakar Pakala, and sailor Ragesh - and sentenced them to prison for varying durations ranging from three years to 25 years. Tiwari is expected to return soon.

Gupta's wife Rekha was visiting her parents in Agra when her phone rang in the early hours of February 12. The voice on the other end of the phone line spoke in a gentle tone.

"Congratulations, Rekha ji. Sanjeev ji is back in India."

It was India's ambassador to Qatar, Vipul (he uses one name), breaking the news to the retired officer's wife.

The brief call ended a 531-day ordeal. "There was no time for small talk. It was around 3 am and I was on my way to Noida," Rekha said.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM HINDUSTAN TIMESView all
Backing queer love stories in cinema is liberating: Onir
Hindustan Times

Backing queer love stories in cinema is liberating: Onir

Filmmaker Onir's latest project, We Are Faheem and Karun, is a queer love story set against the backdrop of Gurez, Jammu and Kashmir.

time-read
1 min  |
November 10, 2024
Terence Lewis reveals why Saroj Khan, Farah Khan were 'more aggressive' than male choreographers
Hindustan Times

Terence Lewis reveals why Saroj Khan, Farah Khan were 'more aggressive' than male choreographers

When it comes to the field of choreography in Bollywood, there have been only a handful of women choreographers. Two names that instantly come to mind are the late choreographer Saroj Khan and choreographer-filmmaker Farah Khan.

time-read
1 min  |
November 10, 2024
Lucknow kids' reimagine Sabya's bridal collection; earn cheers from B'wood
Hindustan Times

Lucknow kids' reimagine Sabya's bridal collection; earn cheers from B'wood

Underprivileged kids from Lucknow reimagine Sabyasachi's bridal designs

time-read
1 min  |
November 10, 2024
Zendaya and Anne Hathaway join Christopher Nolan's next
Hindustan Times

Zendaya and Anne Hathaway join Christopher Nolan's next

Hollywood actors Zendaya and Oscar winner Anne Hathaway are the latest additions to the cast of director Christopher Nolan's upcoming feature film.

time-read
1 min  |
November 10, 2024
'Comedy is enjoyable but not easy to do'
Hindustan Times

'Comedy is enjoyable but not easy to do'

Actor Aftab Shivdasani has had a good run in comedy films, with notable performances in Hungama (2003), Masti (2004) and Deewane Huye Paagal (2005). So, it's no surprise that he is excited to return to the genre with Welcome To The Jungle.

time-read
1 min  |
November 10, 2024
ARMAAN MALIK ON HIS THIRD EMA NOD: IT FEELS SURREAL
Hindustan Times

ARMAAN MALIK ON HIS THIRD EMA NOD: IT FEELS SURREAL

Singer-songwriter Armaan Malik is ecstatic that he has received a nomination at the MTV Europe Music Awards (EMA) for his song Always with British singer Calum Scott in the Best India Act category.

time-read
1 min  |
November 10, 2024
'A crossover between The Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives and Real Housewives of NY is in the works'
Hindustan Times

'A crossover between The Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives and Real Housewives of NY is in the works'

Reality TV star Jessel Taank, the first Indian to feature in The Real Housewives of New York City (RHONY), was in Mumbai recently. Talking about her weeklong visit, she shares, \"India's so exciting-economically and culturally - it's imploding. What drew me to India is the fact that I am labelled as the first Indian on RHONY and that's a big compliment. Yet, I feel a disconnect.\"

time-read
1 min  |
November 10, 2024
Ricky Kej beams with joy after fourth Grammy nomination
Hindustan Times

Ricky Kej beams with joy after fourth Grammy nomination

Musician Ricky Kej is thrilled to receive his fourth Grammy nomination. Having won the prestigious award in 2015, 2022 and 2023, his excitement remains as palpable as his first nomination.

time-read
1 min  |
November 10, 2024
A new innings begins for Athiya and Rahul
Hindustan Times

A new innings begins for Athiya and Rahul

Actor Athiya Shetty and cricketer KL Rahul are set to embrace parenthood in 2025, as they joyfully announced their pregnancy on Friday.

time-read
1 min  |
November 10, 2024
Sonu Sood is the Brand Ambassador and Tourism Advisor for Thailand
Hindustan Times

Sonu Sood is the Brand Ambassador and Tourism Advisor for Thailand

Sonu Sood, already celebrated as both an actor and philanthropist, has added another prestigious title to his name: Brand Ambassador and Honorary Tourism Advisor for Thailand.

time-read
1 min  |
November 10, 2024