Release prisoners, requests Indian court

Says it can only appeal since it does not have jurisdiction over Pakistani courts.

NEW DEHLI:

In an unprecedented move, the Indian Supreme Court on Monday appealed to Pakistan to release Indian prisoners languishing in jails there, to foster friendship between two countries, the Indian Express reported.

A bench comprising Justices Markandeya Katju and Gyan Sudha Mishra said it can only appeal to Pakistan Government for their release as Indian courts do not have any powers to give directions to other countries.

“We cannot give any directions to Pakistan authorities because we have no jurisdiction over them. Indian authorities have done all that they could in the matter. However, that does not prevent us from making a request to Pakistani authorities to consider appeal of the petitioner for releasing him on humanitarian grounds by remitting remaining part of his sentence. At any event, we think it appropriate to make an appeal on humanitarian grounds to Pakistan authorities to release the petitioner as he has served almost 27 years in jail,” the apex court said in an order.

The order was passed while disposing off a petition filed by family members of Gopal Das, complaining about his incarceration in a Lahore jail for past 27 years after serving his sentence.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 15^th, 2011.