Next hearing in Pak prisoners case on Dec 4

Chandigarh, Nov 20 (UNI) The Punjab and Haryana High Court today adjourned to December 4, the hearing on a PIL seeking release of 34 Pakistani citizens languishing in Central Jail it Amritsar.

The PIL, filed by Chandigarh-based World Human Rights Protection Council (WHRPC) President and advocate Ranjan Lakhanpal stated that 19 out of 34 have lost their mental balance.

The Punjab government in its reply, asserted that these prisoners were fine health-wise. However, details pertaining to individual prisoners, read out by the state counsel, spoke of some of them suffering from mental problems.

The matter was heard by a division bench comprising acting Chief Justice Surinder Singh Nijjar and Justice Surinder Singh Saron.

In a related development, Justice TPS Mann has also adjourned to November 27 the hearing on the WHRPC plea for the release of Pakistani citizen Mohammed Akhtar, now in Central Jail, Amritsar.

The WHRPC had pointed out that he was arrested and sentenced in February this year for three months imprisonment for violation of Foreigners Act. The prisoner has since completed his sentence and as such should be sent back to Pakistan.

However, the Punjab government, in its reply, stated that valid travel documents were awaited from the Pakistan High Commission.

Mr Lakhanpal asserted that since the prisoner possessed a passport with valid visa, there was no need for fresh travel documents.

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