Current Affairs: Passage of the Day - 29 March 2025 | Current Affairs & General Knowledge - CLAT PDF Download

Directions: Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
The number of Indian nationals facing the death penalty in the UAE, with sentences yet to be implemented, stands at 25, the central government informed Parliament on Thursday.
Minister of state for external affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh provided this information in a written response to a query in the Rajya Sabha.
"As per the information available with the ministry, the number of Indian prisoners, including undertrials, in foreign prisons at present is 10,152," Singh said.
The query also sought details of Indians awaiting capital punishment abroad and the efforts made by the Indian government to assist them.
"The government attaches high priority to the safety, security and well-being of Indian nationals in foreign countries, including those in foreign jails," Singh said.
The minister shared data for eight countries where Indians have been sentenced to death but are yet to be executed. According to the figures, 25 are in the UAE, 11 in Saudi Arabia, six in Malaysia, three in Kuwait, and one each in Indonesia, Qatar, the US, and Yemen.
"Indian Missions/Posts abroad provide all possible assistance to Indian nationals who have been sentenced, including with death sentences by the foreign courts. Indian Missions/Posts also provide consular access by visiting the jails and follow up their cases with Courts, Jails, Public Prosecutors and other concerned agencies. The jailed Indian nationals are also assisted in exploring various legal remedies including filing of appeal, mercy petition etc," the minister said.
Singh was also asked whether any Indian nationals had been executed abroad in the past five years. He confirmed executions took place in Malaysia, Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.
In 2024, three Indians were executed in both Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, while one was executed in Zimbabwe. In 2023, five Indians were executed each in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, and one in Malaysia.
Regarding the UAE, Singh also added that authorities do not share such data.
However, as per informal information available with the Indian Mission, no Indians have been executed between 2020 and 2024.
[Excerpt from TOI "Indian Nationals on Death Row in Foreign Countries" Dated 29/03/25]

Q1: Which country has the highest number of Indians on death row?
(a) Qatar
(b) UAE
(c) Saudi Arabia
(d) Indonesia

View Answer  

Ans: (b)
Sol: The UAE has the highest number of Indians on death row, with 25 cases reported.

Q2: How many Indian nationals are currently facing the death penalty worldwide?
(a) 25
(b) 49
(c) 60
(d) 11

View Answer  

Ans: (b)
Sol: According to the MEA, 49 Indian nationals are facing death sentences in different countries.

Q3: What is the role of Indian embassies after a death sentence is given?
(a) They can negotiate the release of prisoners
(b) They forward pardon appeals to the foreign office
(c) They can change court rulings
(d) They can prevent the execution through direct intervention

View Answer  

Ans: (b)
Sol: Once a death sentence is given, the Indian embassy can only forward pardon appeals to the foreign office.

Q4: What is "blood money" in the context of death sentences?
(a) A fine paid by the accused to the government
(b) A bribe given to officials for pardon
(c) Compensation paid to the victim’s family to commute the sentence
(d) A fund collected by Indian embassies for legal assistance

View Answer  

Ans: (c)
Sol: In some Gulf countries, blood money is a form of compensation paid to the victim’s family, which may lead to a sentence being commuted.

Q5: Which of the following is an example of India’s successful intervention in a death penalty case?
(a) The execution of Shahzadi Khan
(b) The release of Indian navy veterans in Qatar
(c) The extradition of prisoners from Saudi Arabia
(d) The withdrawal of all death sentences for Indians in the UAE

View Answer  

Ans: (b)
Sol: India successfully intervened to secure the release of eight Indian navy veterans who were sentenced to death in Qatar.