Sarabjit Singh : Lease of life?

Panchkula, Dec 17: It is a classic case of mistaken identity and the piece of news may gift life itself for jailed Sarabjit Singh, who has been languishing in a Pakistan jail since 1990. Manjit Singh Rattu was arrested in Panchkula on Dec 16 and is suspected to have been involved in the 1990 Lahore bombings. This is the very same case that Sarabjit is accused of, and awarded a death sentence.

Sarabjit has been in jail for the last 19 years and is convicted of being responsible for the killing of 14 people in four bomb blasts that rocked Lahore and Multan in 1990. He is currently serving his death sentence in Kot Lakhpat jail, Lahore. The news brings fresh hopes for him, who has been appealing to both Indian and Pakistani government to secure release.

Rattu's arrrest will untangle lots of unanswered questions on the Lahore blast. Sarabjit was arrested when he accidentally crossed over to Pakistan in an inebriated condition and the Pak police presented him as Manjit Singh. Rattu, on the other hand, entered Pakistan as a journalist and married a local woman. Rattu is known in the name of Manjit Singh in Pakistan.

Sarabjit's family and friends have been repeatedly claiming that he was a victim of mistaken identity. Arvind Thakur, Human Rights Council chairman who has providing legal help to Sarabjit's family said, "By presenting the real Manjit Singh, we can ensure that he pays for his crimes and Sarabjit is released."

“I am sure that police have arrested the same Manjeet Singh who was actually responsible for Pakistan blasts. Tomorrow I will go myself to see him in the police station. I have also talked to Haryana police chief and he has assured me of all possible help," Sarabjit's sister Dalbir Kaur was quoted as saying.

OneIndia News