Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has sought External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s intervention to help bring back Indramani Nautiyal, a resident of Tehri Garhwal who is reportedly stuck in Saudi Arabia in a hostage-like situation.
In a letter to Jaishankar, Dhami requested immediate steps to secure Nautiyal’s release. He also sought legal and financial support for him and assistance in bringing him safely back to India.
Nautiyal, a resident of Gaursada village in Jaunpur block of Tehri Garhwal, went to Saudi Arabia in 2018 in search of work. He was employed as a truck driver with Pick Roads and Contracting Company in Riyadh, according to the Chief Minister’s Office.
The CMO said Nautiyal was involved in a serious road accident during his employment in 2018. After legal proceedings in Saudi Arabia, he was sentenced to one year in prison. The company owner was also fined 9 lakh Saudi Riyals over issues related to the truck’s insurance and registration. The amount is estimated at around Rs 2.29 crore.
The company owner has reportedly not paid the fine even after several years. Nautiyal is allegedly being kept in a hostage-like situation and being pressured to pay the outstanding amount, the release said.
His wife and daughter have reportedly approached various authorities seeking his return but have not received the required help. The prolonged situation has also placed the family under serious emotional and financial stress.
Dhami urged the External Affairs Minister to direct the concerned authorities to take urgent steps for Nautiyal’s release and provide him with the necessary legal and financial assistance. He also requested arrangements for his safe return to India.
The Chief Minister said the Uttarakhand government would continue to support residents of the state facing difficulties abroad. He expressed hope that the Centre and the Ministry of External Affairs would intervene on humanitarian grounds and help reunite Nautiyal with his family.
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