A 26-year-old labourer from Telangana’s Jagtial district has been languishing in a Dubai jail for the past three months after he allegedly shared a video showing missile activity during the recent West Asia tensions, with his family now making a desperate appeal to the state and central governments to intervene and secure his release.
Background of the Case
Gopu Bhumesh, a native of Gullapeta village in Jagtial district, had travelled to Dubai in July last year in search of better livelihood opportunities after working as a farmer back home. According to his family and local representatives, he was taken into custody on March 9 in connection with a social media case, allegedly linked to a video of missile launches that he had received and forwarded on WhatsApp.
Family's Ordeal
Despite repeated attempts by relatives in Dubai to obtain legal assistance and clarity on the case, there has been little progress, villagers familiar with the matter said. Bhumesh’s wife, Gopu Sandhya Rani, said the family came to know about his arrest only through one of his friends. “He received a video on WhatsApp and shared it. Since then, he has been in jail. We have two children and Bhumesh’s mother, it has become very difficult for us to survive,” she told TOI.
The family said Bhumesh was working as a labourer in Dubai when he was detained. The exact charges against him remain unclear, and they have been unable to obtain details about the legal proceedings underway. “When our relatives reached out to the authorities there, they kept delaying the process without giving any clear direction,” Sandhya Rani alleged.
Legal Implications in UAE
A senior police official confirmed that Bhumesh was arrested on March 9 in connection with a social media-related case. “Recording of these missile attacks was banned there. Several others with Bhumesh have been arrested. We still have not received any information on FIR from the authorities there. But it is not a huge offence as per our understanding,” he said.
Sharing or circulating content related to military operations and conflict activity is a punishable offence in the United Arab Emirates, where strict laws govern the recording and dissemination of such material online and violations can attract serious penalties.
Local Authorities' Response
Gollapeta sarpanch Shankar Reddy also confirmed the family’s version and said relatives based in Dubai had been trying to secure Bhumesh’s release through legal channels, but without success so far. “We were informed by one of his friends that he had been arrested. His relatives in Dubai are trying, but there has been no progress,” he said. Reddy added that he was reaching out to authorities seeking intervention in the matter.
Financial Distress
Back in Gullapeta, Bhumesh’s absence has pushed the family into financial distress. Sandhya Rani is now the sole earning member, struggling to support their two young children and her mother-in-law. The family has appealed to both the Telangana and Union governments to take up the matter with the UAE authorities and facilitate Bhumesh’s return.
