The Supreme Court Friday asked the central government to file a comprehensive report on foreign nationals who had been languishing in Indian jails for a long time.
An apex court bench headed by Justice R.M. Lodha passed the order on a petition by Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party president Bhim Singh, seeking release of Pakistani nationals in Indian jails for a very long period and in some cases even without trial.
The court said: “We are here to uphold the rights and liberties of every person, whether he is a citizen or not.”
It also sought a status report on four Pakistani women prisoners in different jails for last 10 years, as mentioned in the petition, and asked the central government why they should not be repatriated to their country.
I admire Prof Bhim Singh, for his efforts. I hail decision of the honorable judges of the apex Supreme Court of India (Mr. Justice R.M.Lodha & Mr. Justice H.L.Gokhale who seem to be determined to uphold Atricle -21 of the Constitution. Personal intervention of the august Supreme Court of India is requested in a particular case where a confirmed Pakistani national, Sikandar-e-Azam Sani s/o Muhammad Khalid Butt is confined in the central jail Kot Bhalwal, Jammu despite completion of his 3-years jail term which was expired on 30th June, 2011. The period he remained in police custody/under trial/without trial is not being considered.