Nagpur Engineer's Year-Long Ordeal in Mali Prison Continues as Employer Withholds Bail Funds
Exactly one year after his detention in the West African nation of Mali, Nitin Gulhane, a 42-year-old project engineer hailing from Nagpur, remains incarcerated despite being granted bail five months prior. The distressing situation persists because the Noida-based firm that employed him, Aar Ess Exim Pvt Ltd (AEEPL), has failed to deposit the substantial bail bond of approximately 3.25 crore rupees required for his release.
Arrest Linked to Financial Dispute Between Companies
Gulhane, who served as a project manager overseeing the electrification of 22 villages in Djenne, Mali, was arrested in Bamako on February 25 of last year. His arrest occurred merely four days after he returned to Mali to resume work following a break due to project halts caused by heavy rains. According to his wife, Priyanka Gulhane, and brother-in-law, Gaurav Choudhari, the arrest stemmed from a financial disagreement between AEEPL and its African partner, Energie du Mali. The dispute centered on the validity of bank guarantees associated with hydropower and rural electrification projects.
Priyanka Gulhane emphasized that her husband had no involvement in financial decisions, stating, "My husband was neither involved nor had the decision-making authority in financial matters. His role was strictly limited to executing the project according to specifications, timelines, and budgets." She noted that the project's tendering process was completed long before Gulhane accepted the Mali assignment in November 2022.
Bail Granted but Not Executed Due to Employer Inaction
On August 15, 2025, the Malian court granted Gulhane bail, setting the bond at roughly 3.25 crore rupees. However, this amount has not been deposited by AEEPL, leaving him trapped in prison. In a contrasting outcome, AEEPL director Rajesh Ramachandran, who was also detained during the same meeting convened by the Malian entity, did not receive bail.
The family has actively sought intervention from various authorities, including the Ministry of External Affairs, officials at South Block, the Indian Mission in Mali, and even Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, leveraging their shared Nagpur connection. Gaurav Choudhari recounted, "I made repeated requests to the AEEPL management, but no effort was made by the employer to facilitate this bail." Despite these efforts, progress has been minimal, with the company's managing director, Rajendra Mishra, repeatedly postponing deadlines and offering excuses for not arranging the bail amount.
Health Concerns and Financial Struggles Compound the Crisis
Priyanka Gulhane, who resides in Nagpur with their two children, expressed grave concerns over her husband's deteriorating health. She revealed, "My husband is a heart patient and suffers from diabetes and hypertension. His health has worsened in prison due to inadequate medical care. Continued detention poses a serious threat to his life." Compounding the family's distress, AEEPL has paid only half of Gulhane's salary since his arrest, forcing Priyanka to frequently request funds for his medical treatment at Kenioroba Prison.
In September, officials from the Ministry of External Affairs' Central and West Africa division met with AEEPL managing director Rajendra Mishra to address the issue. However, Mishra has since delayed action, prompting Priyanka to call for stronger diplomatic and legal support from Indian authorities. She asserted, "The entire case arose due to the company's decisions and technical errors. The court in Mali did not hold my husband responsible and granted him bail. Yet, despite repeated assurances, the company has failed to deposit the bail amount."
Employer and Embassy Responses Remain Elusive
Attempts to obtain comments from AEEPL managing director Rajendra Mishra have been unsuccessful. When contacted by TOI, Mishra initially cited being busy in a meeting and promised to respond later, but failed to do so. Similarly, efforts to reach Indian embassy officials in Mali proved fruitless, as they reportedly passed responsibility to other officials without providing concrete assistance.
As Nitin Gulhane's imprisonment extends into a second year, his family continues to advocate for his release, highlighting the urgent need for employer accountability and robust governmental intervention to resolve this humanitarian and legal crisis.
