Odd detention: Indian SC ‘shocked’ by Pakistanis in jail

The inmates have been locked up without ever facing a trial.

NEW DELHI: India’s Supreme Court expressed shock on Friday that more than 250 Pakistanis were languishing in Indian jails without ever having faced trial, with at least one behind bars since 1965.

The court, hearing a public interest case filed by a member of the public, ordered the central government to file a comprehensive report explaining the detentions. “It’s shocking that over 254 Pakistani nationals are languishing in jails without a trial,” said Indian Supreme Court Judge RM Lodha.

The inmates are being held in Indian Kashmir, with many thought to be people arrested after unwittingly crossing the disputed border in the area, the court heard. Four are women. It is believed that there may be inmates held without trial in other states too.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 12^th, 2011.