Indian Consulate Assists Nationals Facing Death Penalty In Indonesia

Court

The Central Government on Tuesday informed the Delhi High Court that the Consulate General of India in Indonesia is actively extending all necessary assistance to three Indian nationals who were recently sentenced to death in a narcotics-related case.

Appearing before Justice Sachin Datta, advocate Ashish Dixit, representing the Centre, stated that consular access had been provided to the convicts. An Intent to Appeal was formally filed via jail authorities on May 2, 2025, within the Indonesian legal framework.

On the same day, a cousin of one of the convicts met all three men at the detention facility, accompanied by the Vice Consul from CGI Medan, confirming the Indian government’s outreach.

The individuals now have seven days from the date of filing the intent to submit their formal appeal before the Indonesian High Court. The Indian Embassy in Jakarta and CGI Medan are currently searching for a qualified local lawyer to represent the men in court, as they have decided not to retain their previous legal counsel for the appeal process.

Court Appreciates Government’s Efforts

Justice Datta noted the steps taken by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Consulate General and expressed satisfaction with the proactive measures. He asked for a detailed status report on the ongoing efforts and listed the matter for the next hearing on August 4, 2025.

Previous Court Directions

At an earlier hearing, the Delhi High Court had directed Indian authorities to ensure that the three men receive proper legal representation and are assisted in exploring all available appellate options. The court also ordered facilitation of communication between the detained men and their families in India.

Additionally, the MEA was instructed to explore diplomatic avenues with the Indonesian government, including invoking any international conventions or bilateral treaties, to safeguard the legal and human rights of the Indian citizens.

Background

The case revolves around three Indian nationals — Raju Muthukumaran, Selvadurai Dinakaran, and Govindasamy Vimalkandhan — who were arrested by Indonesian narcotics officials while working at a shipyard. They were convicted and sentenced to death by the Tanjung Balai Karimun District Court on April 25, 2025, for alleged possession of narcotics.

Their families filed a petition in the Delhi High Court, stating that the men were the sole breadwinners and lacked the resources to pursue legal remedies abroad. They also highlighted the strict time limits for filing an appeal in Indonesia, stressing the need for immediate legal assistance.

With only days left to file the formal appeal, the Indian government is racing against time to secure competent legal representation. The Delhi High Court will continue monitoring the case to ensure the men receive fair legal support and that their fundamental rights are upheld.