M A I N   N E W S

Gopal Das wasn’t RAW spy: Govt
Legal Correspondent

New Delhi, August 19
The Union Government today informed the Supreme Court that Gopal Das, released by Pakistan recently after 26 years of imprisonment, was not a spy of the external intelligence unit, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). Gopal Das, a resident of Punjab, had been convicted in Pakistan on charges of espionage.

Additional Solicitor General PP Malhotra told a Bench comprising Justices Markandey Katju and CK Prasad that “he was not our employee.”

Disputing the government stand, Counsel Arvind Kumar Sharma said his client was working for RAW and as such should be given compensation for his sufferings, besides some job for his livelihood.

The Bench, however, pointed out that such averments by Das would put India’s “international relations in jeopardy.” Nowhere in the petition it had been contended that Das was working for RAW, the court noted.

Nevertheless, the Bench allowed Das to withdraw the petition and pursue his plea directly with the government. Any such plea may be disposed of expeditiously by authorities, the court said.