Chandigarh, April 12
It is going to be the best possible Baisakhi gift for seven Pakistani nationals lodged in various jails of Punjab for minor offences. Tomorrow, all seven will be taken to the Wagah border and handed over to Pakistan Rangers.
This disclosure was made during hearing of a PIL with regard to release of a minor boy of Pakistan, presently lodged in Central Jail, Pakistan.
The only son of his parents, Mohd. Ahmed had inadvertently strayed into Indian territory on October 23, 2001. He was arrested by the Indian security forces and tried for the offence. He was sentenced to six months imprisonment, which was to finish by April 2002. However, till date he continues to languish in jail.
His plight was brought to the notice of the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Mr Justice D.K. Jain, by Delhi High Court Bar Association President A.S. Chandiok, who had a chance meeting with the parents of the boy during his visit to Pakistan.
In his letter addressed to the Chief Justice, Mr Chandiok pointed out that the prison term of the boy ended long back and he should have been released. However, due to some reasons, the boy has served six times more sentences than what was awarded to him. The letter said that the boy is at present in Cell 14, Central Jail, Amritsar.
Similar is the case of other Pakistani nationals, who will be released tomorrow.
The letter was treated as PIL on orders of the Chief Justice and notice had been issued to the Central Government and the Punjab Government.
Today, during hearing, Mrs Nirmaljit Kaur, Additional Advocate General, Punjab, submitted a letter to the court. The letter written by Punjab DGP S Virk says that the Union Home Ministry has ordered the release of the seven Pakistan nationals.
The Punjab Government has been asked to take all seven to Wagah border under proper security for handing them over to Pakistan Rangers.
Initially, the release was planned for April 29, but then the date was advanced to tomorrow. Following the fresh developments, the Division Bench disposed of the petition today.
