Mumbai Couple, Acquitted In 2019 Qatar Drugs Case, Returns Home

Sharique and Oniba Qureshi, the Mumbai-based couple who were sent to prison for 10 years in a drug case in Qatar in the year 2019, has returned to India on Wednesday with their daughter who is a minor, reported the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB). After spending nearly two years in jail, the now acquitted couple landed at the Mumbai airport at 2.30 am.

Sharique and Oniba, both in their 30s, were arrested for carrying 4.1 kg of hashish at Hamad International Airport in July 2019. The wife and husband were then sentenced to a jail term but now have been cleared of all charges. According to latest findings, a relative identified as Sharique's aunt, Tabassum Qureshi had used them to transport the drugs. The trip had been sponsored by his aunt and the official said cleared that the couple was "forced" go to on their second honeymoon in Qatar, TOI reported. The NCB also confirmed that Tabassum had planted narcotics in their bag without their knowledge.

Sharique and Oniba Qureshi - Qatar drug case couple returns home after spending nearly two years in jail

At the time of their arrests, Sharique was working with a Japanese company and Oniba was pregnant. She delivered a girl, later named Aayat, in jail last February. When the couple’s families couldn't reach Sharique on the phone they approached Mumbai police. Eventually, their family members approached the Indian Government and requested to take some action in the matter.

Sharique’s phone had recorded several conversations where Tabassum could be heard terming a parcel as gutkha. She was eventually arrested.

The appeal court on January 27, 2020, rejected the couple’s plea and confirmed the trial court’s verdict. In January 2021, the Court of Cassation (criminal department) conducted a hearing and reviewed documents submitted by the couple’s lawyer. The next month, their appeal was accepted and the court withheld the sentence.

“We are very happy and relieved. We will see our children after a long time,” said Kausar Parveen, Oniba’s mother, after the Indian Embassy in Qatar informed them of their returning news.

Feature Image Credit: The Print