 "Nitin Gulhane with his wife Priyanka, mother and children")
Nitin Gulhane, an engineer overseeing an infrastructure project in Mali, has spent the past year in detention after his employer became entangled in a financial dispute. Back home, his wife, Priyanka Gulhane, continues to move from one office to another in a bid to secure his release, navigating what she describes as an exhausting and uncertain ordeal.
The family has alleged that the owner of his employer firm has repeatedly delayed arranging the financial assistance required for his bail, despite earlier assurances that the amount would be provided.
“A year in a foreign jail, repeated promises that never materialise, and a family left grappling with uncertainty — this is the reality I live every day,” Priyanka Gulhane told Firstpost’s Bhanu Pratap, as she continues her efforts to bring her husband home.
She has also urged Indian authorities, including the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), to intervene and assist in securing his release.
According to the family, Gulhane was employed with a Noida-based firm, AEEPL, as a project head for overseas assignments, including hydropower and electricity distribution projects in Mali. They maintain that his role was strictly technical and execution-focused, with no involvement in decision-making, contractual approvals, or financial matters.
“He was not involved in any signing capacity. He was only working as a project head for the company,” Priyanka said.
His brother-in-law, Gaurav Choudhari, told Firstpost that Gulhane’s responsibilities were limited to execution work, including electricity transmission lines for villages and a hydropower project.
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View AllThe family has also pointed to a financial dispute between the company and its Malian client, Énergie du Mali, over the validity of bank guarantees submitted by AEEPL. “A dispute arose regarding the bank guarantees, following which a complaint was filed,” Choudhari said.
Arrests and legal proceedings
The family claims that in February 2025, the Malian client invited the company for a board meeting. However, managing director Rajendra Mishra reportedly did not attend, citing illness, and instead sent another representative along with Gulhane, who was managing the project on the ground.
“Gulhane was overseeing the project and was expected to represent it as he handled the technical aspects. Immediately after the meeting, he and the other representative were taken into custody in a case linked to the company,” Choudhari said. “Had the managing director attended, the situation might have been different.”
The family maintains that Gulhane had no connection with the financial dispute and was merely executing assigned responsibilities.
According to them, the case involves allegations of document forgery and damage to public property, linked to issues surrounding mobilisation advances and the rejection of bank guarantees by authorities, who suspected the company might abscond and subsequently detained employees.
Bail granted, but Rs 3.5 crore bond remains out of reach
Although Gulhane has been granted bail, the family says he cannot be released unless a bail bond of Rs 3.5 crore is furnished — an amount they say is beyond their financial capacity.
“He has been granted bail, but the bond amount is far beyond our means. We are a middle-class family,” Priyanka said.
“We are repeatedly told by the firm’s owner that the amount will be arranged, but only assurances and shifting timelines are given, with no concrete action.”
She alleged that the company’s management has failed to honour repeated commitments. “Despite having resources, the firm and its owner continue to offer assurances without follow-through. No meaningful step has been taken to facilitate the bail,” she said.
Company accused of delaying despite assurances
The family further alleged that the owner of AEEPL has repeatedly failed to act despite earlier commitments.
“Through Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, we were able to reach the Ministry of External Affairs. Even then, the company owner assured us the bail amount would be arranged,” Choudhari said.
“However, even after bail was granted, he continued to delay and give excuses. Even when MEA officials reportedly followed up, the same assurances were repeated.”
They also claimed that the owner, who reportedly runs multiple firms and has substantial assets, has not fulfilled his commitments.
“He has the means, yet the bail amount is not being paid. Whenever we ask, we are told he is looking into it, but nothing materialises,” the family alleged.
‘Even if we sell everything, it won’t be enough’
Gulhane’s prolonged detention has also taken a toll on his health and family life. He has reportedly been experiencing recurring chest pain following an angioplasty and remains separated from his two young children and elderly mother.
“We are a middle-class family. Even if we sell everything we own — our home, my sister’s house — we still cannot raise this amount,” Choudhari said. “We are left with no clear path forward.”
He added that Gulhane is allowed to communicate with the family only when permitted by authorities — something that adds to the emotional strain.
The family also said his salary has been reduced and partially withheld. “He is receiving only half his salary. Even basic expenses in jail, including food, water, and medicines, have to be paid for. When we ask about the salary, we are told the company is facing a crisis,” a family member said.
Family seeks intervention from MEA and Malian authorities
The family has appealed to both Indian authorities and officials in Mali to intervene.
“This case affects India’s image abroad,” Priyanka said. “I appeal to both governments to help secure his release. He has no role in the dispute; the responsibility lies with the company’s management.”
They added that they continue to approach the MEA and remain hopeful of intervention.
According to its LinkedIn profile, AEEPL is a project engineering firm with decades of experience executing turnkey industrial projects across multiple countries.
Firstpost has reached out to AEEPL, the Ministry of External Affairs, and the Indian Embassy in Mali for a response. The story will be updated if and when a response is received.
Bhanu Pratap is DU graduate in Journalism and a daily newspapers reader. His domain of interest in journalism is foreign affairs, the ever-evolving political landscape of the country, and elections. Although he initially pursued science with aspirations of becoming an engineer under societal pressure, fate had other plans taking him toward the world of news. When he’s not shaping headlines in the newsroom, Bhanu enjoys spending time in libraries. His love for history takes him to historical places and heritage walks. Folk music is another of his interests. Reviews and suggestions are always welcome at Bhanu.Pratap@nw18.com.