The Tribune – Sarabjit’s Case; Pakistan court seeks report from Interior Ministry

Lahore, February 28. A court in Pakistan has sought a report from the Interior Ministry in response to a petition seeking the release of Indian national Sarabjit Singh, currently on death row for his alleged involvement in bomb attacks in 1990.

Justice Manzoor Ahmad Malik of the Lahore High Court yesterday asked the Interior Ministry to file a reply by March 16, failing which the court would decide the matter on merit.

Sarabjit’s counsel Awais Sheikh had submitted a petition, seeking that his client be included on the list of foreigners languishing in Pakistan’s jails despite having served their sentences.

Sheikh had asked the court to issue directions in this respect to the Foreign Secretary and the jail superintendent of Kot Lakhpat Jail where Sarabjit is being held. The superintendent had earlier informed the court that though Sarabjit’s prison term had expired a year ago, his fate would be decided in the light of directions from the General Headquarters of the Pakistan Army and the Presidency.

The superintendent said he had written four times to the Inspectorate of Prisons and the Home Department of Punjab, seeking guidance on the issue in the light of these directions.

Sarabjit, imprisoned since 1990, was awarded the death sentence under the Army Act for his alleged involvement in four blasts that killed 14 persons.

He submitted a mercy petition to the army chief, but it was rejected with the direction that it be forwarded to the President. (PTI)

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120229/punjab.htm#4

The Tribune – Resolution on Bhullar; Cong MLA writes letter to CM

Chandigarh, September 10. Congress legislator from Bholath Sukhpal Singh Khaira has written an open letter to CM Parkash Singh Badal seeking to know his party’s stand on the purported intention of bringing a resolution in the state assembly for commutation of the death sentence awarded to Devinderpal Singh Bhullar who is on death row.

Khaira said as reported by the media, the CM had made contradictory statements on the issue, wherein he had said he would take up the issue with the PM. Khaira said the death sentence to Bhullar has been a subject-matter of active discussion in the legal as well as social and political circles in the recent past. He has written that “while you are seeking commutation of Bhullar’s sentence, your government has managed to get a stay from the SC against investigation by the CBI. This petition has been filed after appeals of the UT. The administration of Chandigarh in the same case had been dismissed by the HC as well as by the SC. Interestingly, the point of appeals/SLPs filed by the UT and their dismissal has not been reflected in the petition filed by your government concealing material facts therein.

Are the two stands not contradictory to each other?” He has asked Badal to clarify his stand. (TNS)

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20110911/punjab.htm#8