Qatari Authorities Arrest Indian IT Engineer on Charges of Data Theft and Espionage

Recent reports have revealed that the Qatari government has arrested Indian IT engineer Amit Gupta, who has been accused of data theft and espionage. According to the reports, Gupta has been held by Qatar’s state security services for the past three months on serious charges of stealing data and spying for foreign states.

Amit Gupta, who was a senior official at the IT firm Tech Mahindra, has reportedly been denied permission for his parents to meet him, raising concerns about the transparency of the case. Qatari authorities have not provided any clarifications, further indicating the gravity of the situation.

BJP MP Hemang Joshi stated that Gupta’s parents had tried to travel to Qatar to meet their son, but their request was rejected by the Qatari authorities. This incident is not the first time Indian nationals have been detained in Qatar under espionage charges. In 2022, eight Indian Navy personnel were sentenced to death by Qatari security forces on charges of espionage for Israel. These personnel had reportedly shared sensitive submarine-related information with Israeli intelligence. In 2023, they were sentenced to death, but in February 2024, they were released on the orders of the Qatari Emir.

The ongoing situation with Gupta highlights continued tensions surrounding espionage allegations in the region and the lack of clarity in such high-profile cases.