Try Urdu poetry to secure prisoner''s release: SC tells Centre

New Delhi, Feb 7(PTI) If dipolomatic efforts had failed,why not the High Commission employ rich Urdu language poetryto secure the release of an Indian prisoner languishing in aPakistani jail for the past 27 years, the Supremne Court musedtoday.

"Urdu is a rich language. I love Urdu poetry. I know theIndian High Commissioner to Pakistan. He is also a great loverof Urdu poetry. But I do not know about the other side''s HighCommissioner''s interest in Urdu. But our High Commissioner cancertainly try the use of Urdu poetry to secure his release,"Justice Markandeya Katju remarked.

Justice Katju made the remarks while hearing the case ofan Indian prisoner Gopal Dass convicted in an espionage caseand languishing in a Pakistani jail for 27 years even afterhis reported release in 2007.

Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium told the bench thatdiplomatic efforts were underway to secure the prisoner''srelease and the matter was being dealt at the Indian HighCommissioner''s personal level, which evoked the court''sremark for using Urdu poetry.

Later, on the request of the counsel, the bench, alsocomprising Justice B S Chauhan, granted the Centre four weeksto come out with its response on the prisoner''s family pleafor his early release.