MEA says embassy in Qatar is in touch with Purnendu Tiwari and his family, confirms officials met him in jail; refrains from further comment as case remains sub judice.
India on Thursday said its embassy in Qatar is in touch with Indian national Purnendu Tiwari, who was arrested last month in an ongoing case and is extending all possible consular assistance, even as it refrained from commenting further on the matter citing legal sensitivities.
Responding to media queries, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that Indian officials have met Tiwari in prison and are also in regular contact with his family.
“Purnendu Tiwary was arrested last month in a case ongoing in Qatar. Others have also been arrested, but they are of other nationalities. Our embassy is in touch with Commander Tiwari and his family and is providing all possible consular assistance. As the arrest followed a court verdict and the matter is sub judice, it would not be appropriate to comment further,” Jaiswal said.
VIDEO | Delhi: “Purnendu Tiwary was arrested last month in a case ongoing in Qatar. Others have also been arrested, but they are of other nationalities. Our embassy is in touch with Commander Tiwari and his family and is providing all possible consular assistance. As the arrest… pic.twitter.com/i3dqPYqfdf
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 9, 2026
Tiwari, a former Indian Navy officer who had been working in Qatar after retirement, is currently facing legal proceedings in what the government has described as a separate case unrelated to the earlier detention of eight Indian naval veterans.
According to earlier reports, he has been linked to a case involving alleged
financial irregularities related to his former employer, Dahra Global Technologies and Consultancy Services.
His continued detention has drawn concern from his family, which has sought intervention from the Indian government. They have pointed out that despite relief in one legal proceeding, he remains in custody. This follows reports that he was acquitted by a Qatari court in one case but continues to remain in jail, with his family seeking the Prime Minister’s intervention for his release.
Officials have maintained that the matter remains before Qatari courts and have declined to comment further due to its “sub judice” status. The MEA reiterated that it is closely monitoring the case and remains engaged through diplomatic channels.
Tiwari was among eight former Indian Navy personnel detained in Qatar in 2022, though seven of them returned to India in 2024 after their sentences were commuted, while he continues to remain in custody in connection with a separate case.
First Published:
April 23, 2026, 18:07 IST
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