Indian reunites with family after spending 36 years in Pakistan prison

Jaipur, Aug 15: An emotional moment for Jaipur-based family as their family member, who was thought to be dead, reunited with them after 36 years.

Jaipur resident Gajanand Sharma who had disappeared from his village Fatehram Ka Tibba in 1982 was sentenced for two months but remained locked up for 36 years in Pakistan prison. He was released on August 13. He with family members celebrated his release.

His family was clueless about Gajanand's whereabouts who disappeared from Jaipur. They had given up after years of search finally got the good news in April this year when Pakistan dispatched some documents to verify Gajanand's information and details.

According to a report by news agency PTI, Gajanand was sentenced to two months. Gajanand was imprisoned at Central Jail Lahore.

Sehdev Sharma, a Punjab based activist, who came to receive Gajanand at Attari-Wagah border said; "This is a gift for our entire nation from the central govt on Independence Day".

Gajanand Sharma at Attari-Wagah border

Sharmas family came to know in May that he was lodged in a prison in Lahore after Jaipur (Rural) police received a request for verification of his nationality.

Sharma's wife Makhni Devi garlanded him

Prisoner Gajanand (R) being released by Pakistan after completing his sentence of 36 years, crosses Wagah border, ahead of Independence Day, in Attari on Monday, Aug 13, 2018. Pakistan today released 30 Indian prisoners, including 27 fishermen, from jail as a goodwill gesture ahead of their Independence Day. PTI file photo

Gajanand Sharma with family

Gajanand Sharma with family members celebrates his release after completing his sentence of 36 years at Pakistan, in Jaipur on Tuesday, Aug 14, 2018.

Pakistan releases 30 Indian

Indian prisoners at Pakistan cross Wagah border as they return after their release, ahead of Independence Day, in Attari on Monday, Aug 13, 2018. Pakistan sent back 29 prisoners including Gajanand who is being released after completing his sentence of 36 years.