Doha, Qatar: An Indian worker in Doha was shot in the face allegedly by his Qatari employer when he asked him for leave to visit his family in Bihar.
Haider Ali, 35, is recovering from gunshot injuries at Hamad General Hospital in Qatar’s capital Doha while the prime suspect, IYA, remains at large.
Ali’s family and an Indian consulate staff in Doha confirmed the shooting incident on Thursday.
“Yes. We are aware of the unfortunate incident and are in regular touch with Ali’s family in India,” said Dhiraj Kumar, ASO Community and Welfare at the Indian embassy in Qatar.
Ali’s younger brother Afsar said: “My brother has been shot point blank by his local sponsor. My father is a heart patient. When he heard the news he collapsed and is now in hospital. My brother’s wife and children are in shock.” Afsar, who was pursuing a PhD in Kerala when the news broke, immediately rushed to his home in Bela Village in East Champaran district of Bihar.
According to him, Ali had been working as a welder for the past six years. He hadn’t seen his family since 2018 and was scheduled to fly to Delhi from Doha on the night of October 30.
A day before the flight he reportedly visited his employer at his home and requested him to reconsider his leave request.
Details of what transpired between the two are sketchy but initial reports suggest that at some point the employer flew into a rage, pulled out a gun and shot Ali.
“We have been told that the bullet tore through his forehead,” said Afsar.
Ali has a son and five daughters aged between three and 12 years.
“They were very excited when he called them on October 29 saying he will be home the next day. “For now we have told them that he couldn’t fly because of visa issues but I guess they know everything. They don’t ask any questions. Instead they look at my face every day searching for answers which I don’t have.”
