Manmohan intervenes: Dr Khaleel Chishty to be released soon
Indian PM personally intervenes in case of Pakistani virologist imprisoned in India.
A day before foreign secretary level talks begin between India and Pakistan, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has personally intervened in the case of the Dr Khaleel Chishty, a Pakistani virologist imprisoned in India for over 18 years, and he is now likely to be released soon, according to CNN-IBN, an Indian news channel.
The doctor’s mercy petition had been approved by Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, who had first reviewed the appeal at the request of the Indian prime minister and the home minister. After the prime minister’s invention, Rajasthan Governor Shivraj Patil, who has final say on the matter, is likely to approve the release, said CNN-IBN.
Chishty was sentenced to life in prison for murder, during a 1992 visit.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 23rd, 2011.