Will 80-year-old Pakistani prisoner be released?

Jaipur, Jun 21: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has advocated the mercy petition filed for the release of

who has been lodged in an Ajmer jail from 1992.

Dr Chisty was arrested from Ajmer in a murder case while on a visit to meet his ailing mother.

Ashok Gehlot, Chief Minister, Rajasthan cleared the mercy plea of Khaleel Chisity after P Chidambaram, Home Minister was asked by the PM to look into the matter following Supreme Court Justice, Markandey Katju's appeal that he be freed. The petition was then forwarded to the governor.

A decision will be taken by Shivraj Patil, governor, Rajasthan on the mercy plea on Jun 22 (today).

"According to the law there is a provision for old and weak people to get parole. People should be entitled to that," said Dr Khalil Chishty.

Dr Chisty was given a life term sentence on Jan 31, 2011. A a micro-biologist from Karachi, Chisty came to Ajmer in 1992 to visit his ill mother. He was later arrested on charges of murder.

"Our case comes under self defence, which they didn't take under consideration. He is 80 years old anyway and he reaching the end of his life," said Saleem Chishty, his brother.

Human Rights activists argue that the man has already suffered a lot and whatever is happening to him is inhuman. They demanded the release of Chisty on the grounds that it would do justice to the old man.

His family wants Chisty to come back as they claim that he will not live any longer and his wish before he dies is to be in Pakistan, seeing his family and children.

The appeal made by Markandey Katju only brings a flash of hope in the lives of the prisoners family and possibly will remind the Indian government of same what was done by Pakistan when Gopal Dass, an Indian prisoner was released after 27 years by the Pakistani President on humanitarian levels.

OneIndia News