5 Indian spies freed after completion of sentences

islamabad — The Interior Ministry on Wednesday informed the Islamabad High Court that five Indian prisoners, convicted of espionage, were released and sent back to India on October 26 after completing their sentences.

The ministry was responding to a petition filed by the Indian High Commission, seeking release of five Indian nationals, including Bircho, Bang Kumar, Satish Bhag and Sonu Singh.

They were to be released from Pakistani jail as they had completed their term, the court was told.

The Indian High Commission had filed a petition in the IHC in October for the release of Indian spies convicted by military courts on charges of espionage and terrorism in Pakistan.

“One of the prisoners did not want to return even after completion of his term. Therefore, he was deported,” the interior ministry report stated.

The lawyer for the Indian High Commission said that three more citizens were in jail despite serving their sentences. Deputy Attorney General (DAG) Tayyab Shah replied that he would apprise the court after taking instructions about the three remaining prisoners.

“How can you keep them for longer than their sentence?” IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah inquired when DAG Tayyab remarked that the case of some prisoners was with the review board.

“If they have completed their sentence, send them back,” the IHC said, disposing of the petition seeking the release of four Indian prisoners. Hearing of the case was adjourned till November 5.

“It is a crime to keep a prisoner in jail when the convict completes his/her prison term,” the chief justice said, reiterating that “the prisoners who served their terms should be released from jail according to the law”.

Earlier, the petition was filed through Barrister Malik Shah Nawaz Noon which contended that the Indian prisoners, Bircho, Bang Kumar, Satish Bhag and Sonu Singh should be released as they have served their sentence, reports The Express Tribune.

“Keeping prisoners in jail after serving their sentence is a violation of the rights under the Constitution of Pakistan,” the petition prayed. “Legally, there is no reason for them to be imprisoned. Prisoners should be released and arrangements should be made for their return to India”.

It is a crime to keep a prisoner in jail when the convict completes his/her prison term. The prisoners who served their terms should be released from jail according to the law

Athar Minallah, IHC Chief Justice