Punjab Driver Claims 15-Month Extra Detention After Saudi Sentence
Rajinderpal Singh, a seasoned truck driver from Tarn Taran, Punjab, has returned to India following a harrowing ordeal in Saudi Arabia. Singh alleges that he was held in a Saudi Arabian prison for an additional 15 months, long after his court-ordered sentence had been completed.
A Decade of Work Ends in Legal Turmoil
Singh, who had been working in the region for ten years, was arrested alongside two other drivers. The arrest was reportedly triggered by shared documentation used for a transport consignment. While Singh maintains that the objectionable substances involved in the case were actually located in a different vehicle, he was ultimately sentenced to 18 months in prison. While the primary accused received an eight-year sentence, Singh was handed an 18-month term.
The Failed Repatriation and Extended Confinement
The most distressing aspect of Singh's account involves what occurred after his sentence expired. He claims that upon the completion of his 18-month term, he was taken to the airport to be sent back to India. However, instead of being repatriated, he was allegedly returned to custody due to complications regarding his exit status. This procedural issue reportedly led to an additional 15 months of detention.
Serious Allegations Regarding Consular Support
Following his return, Singh raised significant concerns regarding the assistance provided by the Indian Embassy in Riyadh. His allegations include:
- Inadequate support: He claimed that consular assistance during his period of detention was insufficient.
- Financial demands: He alleged that money was requested during the efforts to facilitate his repatriation.
Note: As of September 20, 2026, these claims have not been independently verified, and the Indian Embassy in Riyadh has not issued a public response regarding these specific allegations.
The Path to Freedom
Singh's family sought intervention from Rajya Sabha MP Balbir Singh Seechewal in December 2025. Following subsequent follow-ups with the Ministry of External Affairs, Singh was finally able to return to India on August 31, 2026. On September 19, 2026, he met with MP Seechewal, joined by Jasbir Singh, another Indian worker who had also been stranded in Saudi Arabia and returned earlier in September.
Official Resources for Indian Citizens in Saudi Arabia
While the Indian Embassy is bound by the judicial processes of Saudi Arabia, it maintains a Community Welfare Wing to assist citizens with legal matters, deportation, and jail-related issues. To avoid complications, the Embassy advises all citizens to: