Pakistan

Indian High Commission moves IHC for release of four spies

Petition prays to free the prisoners as they have completed their sentence

Saqib Bashir October 15, 2020

IHC. PHOTO: Islamabad High Court website

ISLAMABAD:

The Indian High Commission on Thursday filed a petition in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) for the release of four spies convicted by military courts on charges of espionage and terrorism in Pakistan.

According to reports, the petition was filed through Barrister Malik Shah Nawaz Noon which contended that the Indian prisoners, Bircho, Bang Kumar, Satish Bhag and Sonu Singh should be released as they have served their sentence.

“Keeping prisoners in jail after serving their sentence is a violation of the rights under the Constitution of Pakistan,” the petition prayed. “Legally, there is no reason for them to be imprisoned. Prisoners should be released and arrangements should be made for their return to India”.

Earlier on October 6, however, the second deadline set by the IHC for India to appoint a legal representative for another convicted Indian spy, Kulbhushan Jadhav, expired.

Pakistan has repeatedly invited the Indian government to pursue the case of the convicted Indian Naval intelligence officer but New Delhi has yet to appoint a legal representative.

The bench headed by IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah presided the law ministry's request to provide counsel to Jadhav.

In August, the IHC had formed a three-member larger bench at the government’s request to appoint a lawyer for Jadhav for his appeal against the death penalty awarded to him by a military court.

Justice Minallah instructed the Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Khalid Javed Khan to determine if the court can appoint a legal representative for Jadhav – sans his or India's approval – and what consequences such a move would have.

The chief justice also asked if the convicted spy was provided with a copy of the previous hearing's order, to which the AGP replied in the affirmative.

"India should submit an application and obtain the documents through legal channels," said the AGP. The chief justice then adjourned the hearing of the case till November 9.