Shah Rukh Khan's Office Denies Involvement in Release of Jailed Indian Navy Personnel from Qata
Speculation Dispelled as Actor's Office Clarifies Diplomatic Matters Rest with Government
According to Shah Rukh Khan's office, "our very able leaders" are best suited to handle problems requiring diplomacy and statecraft, and on Tuesday, the actor was not engaged in the release of eight incarcerated former Indian Navy sailors from Qatar.
The Indian Navy veterans whose death sentences were reduced to prison terms of various lengths were released by Qatar on Monday. Out of them, seven have gone back home.
On Tuesday, there was much conjecture that Shah Rukh, who is very well-liked in Qatar and just met Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, the prime minister of the nation, at a function in Doha, was involved in the release of the Indians who were imprisoned.
Social media users extensively shared former MP Subramanian Swamy's assertion that the actor had become involved in the situation in a post on X.
Most of the day, Shah Rukh was the top trending topic on X.
In a statement, Shah Rukh Khan's office said, "With regard to the reports regarding his alleged role in the release of India's naval officers from Qatar, the office of Mr. Shah Rukh Khan says that any such assertions of his involvement are unfounded."
"...the implementation of this triumphant resolution exclusively resides with the Indian government officials," the declaration went on, categorically rejecting Shah Rukh's involvement in the issue.
"Our very capable leaders are the best at handling all matters involving diplomacy and statecraft," the statement on Instagram, which was also shared by Shah Rukh's manager Pooja Dadlani, said.
It stated: "Mr. Khan, like many other Indians, is happy that the naval officers are safe and well at home and wishes them the very best."
Recently, Shah Rukh, 58, was the distinguished guest of honor at the Asian Football Club final in Doha.
The eight Indians have been freed in advance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's February 14–15 visit to Qatar.
It seems that they were accused of spying, but neither New Delhi nor the authorities in Qatar disclosed the allegations.
Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Press Time staff and has been published from a syndicated feed.
