2023 Qatar espionage case
| Date | August 2022 – February 2024 |
|---|---|
| Location | Doha, Qatar |
| Type | Espionage |
| Target | A secret Qatari submarine project |
| Outcome | All released |
| Suspects | Eight former Indian Navy officers |
| Accused | All eight |
| Convicted | Yes, commuted in higher appeal |
| Charges | Not made public |
| Verdict | Formerly death penalty, commuted to jail sentences |
In August 2022, eight former Indian Navy officers were detained in Doha, Qatar. While charges against them were not made public by Qatari authorities, media reports speculated that they were "spying for Israel", which was later found to be untrue. The spying allegations were never made or accepted by either of the Governments. Following long diplomatic and legal efforts, the charges of all but one of them were commuted in December 2023, and they were released and reached New Delhi by February 2024. One of them, Commander Purnendu Tiwari, remains detained as of February 2026.