Who is Amit Gupta, Tech Mahindra employee detained in Qatar
What's the story
Amit Gupta, a senior IT professional from Gujarat, has been held in Qatar for over three months now.
The 12-year veteran of Tech Mahindra is facing allegations of data theft, according to multiple reports.
However, his family has strongly denied such charges and maintains that he has been wrongfully accused.
They have made numerous appeals for his release, including to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).
Professional background
Amit Gupta's career and detainment
Gupta has been with Tech Mahindra for almost 12 years. He assumed charge as region head for Qatar and Kuwait three years ago, according to his LinkedIn profile.
He was earlier the company's senior sales manager and client partner.
Before that, he spent three years at Nucleus Software Exports. He has also worked as an assistant manager at Infosys.
Detention details
Allegations and family response
According to his parents, unidentified individuals took him away on January 1 while he was out for a meal.
The exact charges against him are unknown, but reports claim data theft is the basis of his arrest.
His mother claimed he was detained simply for being the country head.
The family is only allowed a five-minute call from him every Wednesday.
Family's ordeal
Gupta's mother shares details of his detention
Gupta's mother, Pushpa Gupta, said her son was taken into custody and then detained without food or water for two days.
She said he has been confined to a room for the last three months.
"He was kept seated for about 48 hours without food. He was then shifted to a room and has been kept there for nearly three months now," she told IANS.
Company position
Tech Mahindra's response to Gupta's detention
Tech Mahindra has assured that the Indian embassy in Qatar is informed about Gupta's detention.
The firm is reportedly in close contact with his family and is actively liaising with authorities in both countries.
This is the second time since 2022 that an Indian has been detained in Qatar. In 2022, eight former Indian Navy members were detained and then convicted to death in 2023.
Their sentences were later commuted by a Qatari court, and they were freed in 2024.