Fading hopes: Sarabjit’s family uncertain about his release
As the Indian public in general welcomes Ajmal Kasab’s execution, one Indian family finds itself extremely anxious over this recent development. The family of Indian prisoner Sarabjit Singh, once optimistic about securing his release, fears his case may fall victim to age-old Pakistan-India rivalry.
Talking to The Express Tribune, Singh’s sister Dalbir Kaur said the family was very uncertain about his release. She maintained that while they were still hopeful, their optimism was fading out and they expected Kasab’s execution would at least delay Sarabjit’s release.
Kaur refused to comment any further.
On the other hand, Sarabjit’s counsel Awais Shaikh feels Kasab’s execution has no bearing on his chances of release.
“Kasab’s case cannot be compared to Sarabjit’s case… Everyone knows what Kasab did and there is substantial evidence against him… Sarabjit’s case, meanwhile, is one of mistaken identity,” maintained Shaikh while talking to The Express Tribune.
He said Sarabjit had passed 21 years in jail after the Supreme Court awarded him a death sentence, adding that laws were available to commute a prisoner’s death sentence into a life imprisonment term if the prisoner in question has spent several years in jail and had his execution postponed multiple times.
Sarabjit allegedly crossed into Pakistan illegally on August 29, 1990. Pakistani authorities consider him as Manjit Singh, and convicted him for alleged involvement in the 1990 serial bomb blasts in Lahore, Multan and Faisalabad that killed 14 people. Sarabjit claims that he is a farmer and a victim of mistaken identity, who strayed into Pakistan from his village located on the border, three months after the bombings.
Sarabjit has been imprisoned in Kot Lakhpat jail since 1990. He was sentence to death by the country’s highest court in 1991. Since then, five mercy petitions have been filed on his behalf.
The most recent one was filed earlier this year, soon after Indian authorities released Pakistani prisoner Dr Khalil Chishti. Sarabjit’s family had hoped Chishti’s release would bolster chances of his release as well.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 22nd, 2012.
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murderer chisti was sent home for sarabjeet release that was the deal done when zardari came india , if pakistan doesn't reciprocate by releasing innocent guy (sarabjeet) ,we should end all ties .
The only terrorist caught and sentenced is an Indian.
If there is a serious doubt on Sabarjeet's case, then why to hang him just because of Kasab's revenge?
Why is ET so concerned; hang him and other accused ASAP.
According to Pakistani court, Sarbajeet is a Terrorist, why to show mercy?? Pakistani liberals have gone so far away from justice and equal rights while maintaining relationship with India. What a Shame !
Pak has no credible judicial systems or judges. They only have judges who will run off to Saudi after delivering a verdict or chase some non existing memos. It is pathetic that persons are given capital punishment even without validating proper identity.
@Indian
Do you remember Dr. Khalil Chishti?
Shame on Pakistani Government, I should have been reading the news, Sarabjit Singh hanged this morning!!
His case should be considered on merit not compared with Ajmal Kasab.His fate was decided long before Ajmal's.
Sarabjeet should be hanged as he's guilty of terrorism.
shame on pakistan for torturing an innocent.......pakistan has no respect for human rights.....all countries together should set an embargo on pakistan until it learns how to value human lives......
"Sarabjit’s family uncertain about his release"
Release????????????????????????
Hang him ASAP