Sarabjit's body brought back, 2nd autopsy performed

, May 2: The special

which was sent to Pakistan to bring back the body of

, the Indian prisoner who was brutally assaulted in a jail and later passed away in a Lahore hospital, arrived here around 8 pm. The flight's take-off was delayed by official reasons in Pakistan.

The second post mortem of Sarabjit's body as per his family's wish was conducted at Patti by a team of six doctors of Amritsar Medical college, official sources said said. His body was taken to his native village Bikhiwind in Punjab's Tarn Taran district by an Indian Air Force chopper from Amritsar.

The 49-year-old Sarabjit had suffered serious head injuries after five to six prisoners assaulted him in Kot Lakhpat jail on April 26.

Sarabjit was a resident of Bhikhiwind town in Tarn Taran district and was on death row in Pakistan since 1990. He was convicted by Pakistani courts for bomb blasts in Lahore and Multan, killing 14 people.

Sarabjit's family claimed that he was innocent and was arrested after he crossed over to Pakistan in a drunk sate.

Punjab govt to give state-level funeral

The Punjab government announced on Thursday that Sarabjit Singh, the Indian prisoner who passed away in a Lahore Hospital after a brutal attack, would be given a state-level funeral after his body is brought back to India. Sources said the man's funeral will be held on Friday.

State Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said in a statement said this and also expressed anguish over the death of Sarabjit. He also criticised the Centre's approach towards the matter.

Badal said the Indian government dithered and dilly-dallied in reacting to the attack on Sarabjit. He said it hadn't done enough and its steps to secure Sarabjit's release earlier were weak and inadequate. He had asked Prime Minister to take highest diplomatic initiative to bring the Indian's body back to Punjab.

Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal said both the daughters of Sarabjit would be given government jobs.

The CM urged the Centre to raise the issue at the international level.

OneIndia News