Indian prisoners in Pakistan

Court may put pressure on government to release all Indian prisoners who have completed their awarded sentence

Surjeet Singh

Justice Iftikhar Hussain of Lahore High Court, hearing Surjeet Singh's case on July 9th, 2012, upheld law and justice by directing the government to repatriate the prisoner who spent five years more than the awarded sentence.

Surjeet Singh's counsel, advocate Awais Sheikh thanked the court for this measure and further requested that that court issue detailed order to help release other prisoners still confined in jail after completing their sentence. "The people in India and the world are taking keen interest in this case and the long awaited order of this court will be well received," he said. "It will put pressure on governments to take steps for early release of illegally detained prisoners."

The State Counsel argued that relief had already been given and Surjeet Singh released, so there was no reason for further proceedings or discussion.

Petitioner Awais Sheikh stated that the intention was to free all illegally detained, not any one prisoner, in accordance with the original order passed by the Lahore High Court chief justice, which clearly stated that all foreign prisoners including 32 Indian prisoners should be repatriated including Surjeet Singh. Court accepted the plea of the petitioner and adjourned the case until July 23rd for detailed arguments.

Bhavesh Parmar

The Indian prisoner Bhavesh Parmar has been in Central Jail, Lahore for the past eight years in solitary confinement. On July 23, 2012, advocate Awais Sheikh was the first outside visitor to meet Parmar.

The Mumbai-based journalist and activist Jatin Desai had facilitated the power of attorney for Sheikh, who last week spoke to Parmar's mother in India on the phone. He assured her that he would do his best to repatriate her son. "Achha beta.. Bhagwan tumhari madad kare," she responded.

Sheikh reports that he found Parmar physically fit, looking smart in a kurta shalwar. He introduced himself to the prisoner as his lawyer and they spoke for about 15 minutes.

On being asked, Parmar's message to his family was, "main apne ghar wapis jana chahta hoon" (I want to go home). The young engineer had boarded Samjhota Express and was arrested in Lahore. He told Sheikh, "Kisi ne mujhe bitha diya tha" (someone put me on board). He was mostly quiet, but listened attentively. "It seemed that he was not expecting anyone to visit him in jail. I could see hope in his eyes," says Sheikh, who obtained Parmar's signature on a mercy letter addressed to President Asif Ali Zardari. The lawyer is submitting a letter to the Inspector General Prisons' office to obtain details of the case for further action.

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

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