HC issues notice to Punjab government on Pak prisoners

Chandigarh, July 26 (UNI) A division bench of Punjab and Haryana High Court comprising acting Chief Justice H S Bedi and Justice R S Randhawa today issued notice to Punjab government and others, for August four on a PIL seeking directions to release 31 Pakistani prisoners who have completed their sentence and are in Central Jail, Patiala.

The PIL was filed by city-based World Human Rights Protection Council headed by advocate Ranjan Lakhanpal.

The PIL also pointed out that 19 of these prisoners had lost their mental balance and needed treatment according to a letter Lakhanpal received from a prisoner Abdul Hamid from Patiala.

The council has also prayed for payment of compensation to these prisoners in line with court orders of April 26, 2006 for release of such prisoners.

The court had ordered a compensation of Rs 10,000 per prisoner plus Rs 100 per day per prisoner for every day of delay after the receipt of release orders. This was complied with by the Punjab government and prisoners from Amritsar jail were able to leave for homes in Pakistan via Wagah.

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