An Indian national lodged in a jail in Egypt for 26 years is back in India and has been lodged in Thane jail after successful negotiations between the Indian and Egyptian governments for his repatriation.S Sarvekaran, 42, was arrested in Cairo in 1990 for possessing 200 gm of cocaine and was awarded death sentence and fined 1 lakh Egyptian pounds. In 1992, his death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment after the Indian government paid the fine.While the Indian authorities have been talking to their Egyptian counterparts since 1990 seeking a pardon for Sarvekaran and his repatriation, the request has only now been accepted when he has spent 24 years in captivity.According to sources, Sarvekaran had also alleged torture by jail authorities in Cairo. “He faced a communication problem, as people around him didn’t speak his language. Also, his family could not go there to meet him, and he couldn’t seek legal help. So, he wrote to the Egyptian authorities to send a message to the Indian embassy,” said an officer who did not wish to be identified.After the Ministry of External Affairs in India intervened and followed the proper repatriation procedure, the Egyptian government granted permission for Sarvekaran to be repatriated to India.According to Thane jail authorities, Sarvekaran will be free man in a year’s time when he completes his full term. Sarvekaran, a native of Tamil Nadu, arrived in Thane jail on Wednesday and has already met his family once.Superintendent of Police Nitin Wayachal and Taloja Jail Superintendent of Police Sadanand Gaikwad travelled to Cairo escort Sarvekaran to Mumbai. Along with Sarvekaran, they also brought back an Indian woman convicted for murder in Cairo. Identified as Ravuri Nagamunemma, she has been sent to the Kadappa jail in Andhra Pradesh. She is serving a life sentence.