Free at last: Indian prisoner, released after 27 years, crosses Wagah
Gopal Das was pardoned by President Zardari on humanitarian grounds.
LAHORE:
Pakistan Rangers handed over Indian prisoner Gopal Das to Indian officials at the Wagah Border on Thursday, after he was released from Kot Lakhpat jail.
Das had been pardoned by President Asif Ali Zardari through a notification to remit the remainder of his prison sentence, issued on March 27.
Das was pardoned on humanitarian grounds following an appeal from India’s Supreme Court.
He was arrested in July 1984 when he had crossed the border, and was sentenced on June 27, 1986 for 25-year-long life imprisonment under section 59 of the Pakistan Military Act.
Das — who told reporters he was 26 when he was arrested — was due for release by the end of this year.
While the presidency did not say why he was convicted, Das himself confirmed reports that he had been jailed for spying.
“Yes … I went to Pakistan on a spying mission and I was arrested for espionage,” said Das, who was incensed by what he saw as his abandonment by the Indian authorities.
“Indian intelligence never bothered to get me released from jail in Pakistan,” he said.
“I have a grudge against the Indian leadership because it does not bother about Indian prisoners still rotting in Pakistan prisons,” he added.
He thanked the president and prime minister of Pakistan for his early release.
Das had entered a plea to the Indian apex court through his brother, which ruled that while it had no jurisdiction in Pakistan, it could make an appeal for his release to the Pakistan government.
Das said he was pleased to be back home with his family after all these years, while talking to The Express Tribune from his village Bhainimian Khan in district Gordaspur
He also appealed to the Pakistani government to treat Indian prisoners suffering from tuberculosis and languishing in Pakistani jails. He said the Indian government should expedite the process of release of all Indian prisoners.
Dass’ 22 years old niece Navjot added the entire village held a grand function in her uncle’s honour upon his arrival.
With additional reporting from the agencies.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 8th, 2011.
Pakistan Rangers handed over Indian prisoner Gopal Das to Indian officials at the Wagah Border on Thursday, after he was released from Kot Lakhpat jail.
Das had been pardoned by President Asif Ali Zardari through a notification to remit the remainder of his prison sentence, issued on March 27.
Das was pardoned on humanitarian grounds following an appeal from India’s Supreme Court.
He was arrested in July 1984 when he had crossed the border, and was sentenced on June 27, 1986 for 25-year-long life imprisonment under section 59 of the Pakistan Military Act.
Das — who told reporters he was 26 when he was arrested — was due for release by the end of this year.
While the presidency did not say why he was convicted, Das himself confirmed reports that he had been jailed for spying.
“Yes … I went to Pakistan on a spying mission and I was arrested for espionage,” said Das, who was incensed by what he saw as his abandonment by the Indian authorities.
“Indian intelligence never bothered to get me released from jail in Pakistan,” he said.
“I have a grudge against the Indian leadership because it does not bother about Indian prisoners still rotting in Pakistan prisons,” he added.
He thanked the president and prime minister of Pakistan for his early release.
Das had entered a plea to the Indian apex court through his brother, which ruled that while it had no jurisdiction in Pakistan, it could make an appeal for his release to the Pakistan government.
Das said he was pleased to be back home with his family after all these years, while talking to The Express Tribune from his village Bhainimian Khan in district Gordaspur
He also appealed to the Pakistani government to treat Indian prisoners suffering from tuberculosis and languishing in Pakistani jails. He said the Indian government should expedite the process of release of all Indian prisoners.
Dass’ 22 years old niece Navjot added the entire village held a grand function in her uncle’s honour upon his arrival.
With additional reporting from the agencies.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 8th, 2011.