Qatar court admits India plea for mercy for 8

New Delhi, NT Bureau: A Qatari court has admitted the Indian government's appeal against the death penalty handed down to eight former Indian Navy personnel in that country, according to media reports, even as there was no official word from the Ministry of External Affairs here on Friday.

Last week, India said the appeal process against the death sentence given to the eight former Indian Navy personnel by a Qatari court is under process and it was hopeful of a positive outcome from it.

The eight Indians were on October 26 given the death sentence by Qatar's Court of First Instance triggering an Indian protest.

The Indian nationals, who had worked with the private company Al Dahra, were arrested in August last year reportedly in an alleged case of espionage.