India formally requests Pakistan to release Sarabjit on humanitarian grounds

Urges Pakistan government to ensure security of other Indians currently in Pakistani prisons.


Web Desk April 29, 2013
Indian prisoner Sarabjit Singh. PHOTO: FILE

NEW DELHI: India on Monday formally requested Pakistan to release convicted Indian spy Sarabjit Singh on humanitarian grounds, Times of India reported.

According to the report, the Indian External Affairs Ministry requested Pakistan government to release Sarabjit into Indian custody so that he may be provided medical care.

“In view of the recent tragic events and present circumstances, we once again appeal to the government of Pakistan to take a sympathetic and humanitarian view of this case, and release Sarabjit Singh."

The Ministry also urged Pakistani authorities to ensure protection of other Indians currently in Pakistani jails. "It is the responsibility of the government of Pakistan to ensure the safety and security of all Indian prisoners in their custody."

Sarabjit Singh, who was sentenced to death 16 years ago on espionage charges, was rushed to the Jinnah Hospital on Friday with multiple wounds, including a severe head injury, after his fellow inmates  hit him with bricks, following an altercation.

“Sarabjit’s condition is critical with multiple wounds to his head, abdomen, jaws and other body parts, and he has been put on ventilator,” a doctor in Jinnah Hospital told AFP. “He is fighting for his life in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and the next 24 hours are critical,” the doctor said, adding that the head injury was ‘quite severe’.

“He needs surgery but the doctors are not performing it because they don’t want to take any chances and want him to stabilise,” he said.

COMMENTS (50)

Genesis | 11 years ago | Reply

@ohdear: He was not brutally assaulted inside a prison.He was fed and cared for and treated with dignity

JAGDIP H VAISHNAV | 11 years ago | Reply

The Times Of India

Dear Reader,

Your comment on the article ''Sarabjit Singh slips into non-reversible coma: Official sources'' is now displayed on timesofindia.com.

''No doubt Sarabjit is culprit, but he is also father, husband, brother of his family. When he is declared brain dead, clinically dead, ,it is not understood why Pakistan authorities do not comply to the request of family members. Maximum, Pakistan authority can take declaration signed by nearest to Sarabjit that in case worst happens while Mr Sarabjit is on way to India, Pakistan authority is not responsible Indian govt & Pakistan govt is requested to consider this''

JAGDIP H VAISHNAV SENIOR CITIZEN

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