Prison Served, Yet Detained: Punjab Driver Alleges 15-Month Delay by Indian Embassy
After serving an 18-month prison sentence in Saudi Arabia, Rajinderpal Singh, a truck driver from Tarn Taran, Punjab, claims he was forced into an additional 15 months of detention. Singh finally returned to India on August 31, 2026, after nearly ten years of living abroad, but his homecoming is overshadowed by harrowing allegations of consular negligence and administrative failure.
The Airport Record Nightmare
Singh alleges that his release was stalled because the Indian Embassy in Riyadh failed to update his status within official airport documentation. Despite having completed his legal sentence, he claims he was apprehended at the airport due to these outdated records. He remained in custody while awaiting consular action that he alleges was largely neglected by officials.
The driver's legal troubles originally stemmed from a case involving the discovery of objectionable drugs in a consignment. While the shipment was linked to shared documentation involving multiple parties, Singh and another driver from Amritsar were the ones detained.
Allegations of Indifference and Corruption
Beyond the administrative delays, Singh has raised serious concerns regarding the conduct of the Indian mission in Riyadh. His allegations include:
- Systemic Indifference: A perceived lack of urgency and support from the Embassy during his period of detention.
- Demands for Payment: Claims that payments were requested to facilitate routine consular services required for his departure.
The emotional toll of the ordeal was compounded by personal tragedy; Singh learned of his brother's death while he was still incarcerated.
A Long Battle for Release
The resolution of Singh's case required significant political intervention rather than standard diplomatic procedures. On December 8, 2025, his family sought assistance from Rajya Sabha MP Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal.
It took nine months of sustained intervention by Seechewal’s office, working in coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the mission, to secure the release of Singh and another youth from Amritsar. Seechewal noted that this specific case, along with two others, required political pressure to achieve results that standard consular processes failed to provide.
Official Responses and Ongoing Inquiries
When questioned on September 18, 2026, the Ministry of External Affairs stated that missions maintain contact with local authorities and promised to gather more details regarding the case. However, the Embassy of India in Riyadh has not responded to the specific allegations concerning the detention delay or the reported demands for payment.
These allegations surface shortly after a visit to Saudi Arabia by Minister of State Kirti Vardhan Singh, who was in the country from September 5 to 8, 2026, to discuss labor cooperation and worker welfare. Following his ordeal, Singh has formally requested a full inquiry into the handling of his case by the Riyadh Embassy.