Court sends notice to foreign ministry after man demands release of son jailed in UAE

The court has asked the Indian embassy in Abu Dhabi to coordinate with local lawyers.

New Delhi:

The Delhi High Court today issued a notice to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MEA) seeking information on a software engineer imprisoned in Abu Dhabi. The father of the man who is said to be serving time in an Abu Dhabi prison has made the plea.

Judge Prathiba M Singh issued a request to the MEA on a request filed by Zakir Hussain to obtain all details concerning the petitioner’s son from foreign authorities.

The High Court has asked the Indian embassy in Abu Dhabi to coordinate with local lawyers and obtain details in the event of any proceedings against the petitioner’s son or any other proceedings against him.

The complainant claims that his son disappeared during the night of 20-21 July 2019, and that despite repeated efforts by him and the Indian authorities, the reason for his son’s detention could not be found.

The petitioner’s son has been sentenced to 10 years in prison by the United Arab Emirates Federal Court, the lawyer at the Appearance Center said.

The lawyer also said the government was pursuing the matter and requested consular access. They were also asked to provide a copy of the judgment.

“Why was the petitioner’s son not granted consular access?” the court asked.

The center’s lawyer said Indian embassy officials had met with the applicant’s son more than three times. The Indian embassy has been in touch with Abu Dhabi authorities and seeking information. Complete information is not yet available.

On the other hand, the petitioner’s lawyer, Shahrukh Alam, submitted that there was an agreement between India and the UAE for the transfer of sentenced persons. The MEA should take steps to obtain information and return the petitioner’s son.

The petition stated that the petitioner did not know the reason for his son’s imprisonment.

If the detention is illegal, they should strive for release. If he is found guilty of any criminal offence, then he should be deported,” the request further stated.

(Aside from the title, this story is unedited by NDTV staff and published via a syndicated feed.)