Mumbai couple will return home after two years in Qatar jail

A Mumbai based couple, arrested and jailed for drugs smuggling in Qatar, is set to return to their home in Mumbai today. The couple was arrested on charges of drugs possession and was sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment along with a hefty fine. However, following NCB's investigation, the couple is free of all charges.

New Delhi: A Mumbai based couple, arrested and jailed for drugs smuggling in Qatar, is set to return to their home in Mumbai by today. NCB's Zonal Director (Additional Charge), K.P.S Malhotra explained that on 6th July 2019, Mohammad Sharik Qureshi and his wife, Oniba Kausar, visited Qatar for a honeymoon. On arriving at Doha's Hamad International Airport, they were arrested for drugs possession. A total of 4.1 kilograms of Hashish were recovered from their bags. A case was registered in Qatar and a trial court sentenced the couple to 10-year imprisonment along with a fine of 300 thousand Qatari Riyal.

On 27 September, Oniba Kausar's father Shakeel Ahmad Qureshi filed a complaint to the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) alleging that his daughter and son-in-law were wrongfully arrested in Qatar. He further levelled allegations that Sharik Qureshi's aunt Tabbusum Riyaz Qureshi and Nizam Kara are behind this whole murky affair. These people had arranged a honeymoon package for the couple and kept hashish in their bags without their knowledge. He also handed vital documents and some audio clips to the NCB as evidence.

NCB's investigation revealed that Nizam Kara and Tabbusum were running an organised drug syndicate in Mumbai. NCB launched an operation and on 26th February 2020, arrested a gang of four from Chandigarh. They also recovered 1.4 kgs of Charas from the gang.

The four gang members were identified as Vedram, Maheshwar, Shahnawaz and Shabana. During interrogations, NIA understood the role of Nizam Kara, his wife Shaheda Kara and Sharik Qureshi's aunt Tabbusum Riyaz Qureshi. NCB grilled the three accused and they confessed their part in the whole affairs including, admitting their role in planting the drugs in the couple's bag.

Following the disclosure of the whole affair, NCB contacted the Ministry of External Affairs and send the updated case files to the Indian Embassy in Qatar. Qatar's Indian Embassy further presented the new evidence in the Qatari trial court and pleaded innocence on behalf of the couple. The trial court in Qatar, following a hearing, absolved the couple of all charges. Currently, The couple is following the diplomatic procedures before flying to Mumbai. They are expected to reach their home in Mumbai today.