India files mercy plea for two nationals in Qatar

New Delhi: India has filed a mercy petition with Qatar for two nationals who were awarded death penalty by the Supreme Court there for allegedly murdering a woman four years ago, External Affairs Ministry said today.

Indian mission in Doha has filed a mercy petition yesterday with Qatar Foreign Ministry regarding the death penalty of Subramanian Alagappa and Chelladurai Perumal for further action, MEA Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said.

The court in Qatar had recently rejected a plea by the Indian Embassy to overturn the death penalty awarded to the duo, both in their 40s, but commuted the life term awarded to the third accused, Sivakumar Arasan, to 15 years jail term.

Subramanian hails from Villupuram. Perumal is a resident of Virudhunagar in Tamil Nadu.

–PTI