SC Refuses to Entertain PIL Seeking Release of Pakistani Prisoners from Indian Jails

The Supreme Court on Thursday declined to entertain a public interest plea seeking direction to the central government to release Pakistani nationals languishing in Indian jails even after having completed their sentences, getting acquitted, or against whom no case has been made out.

- PARMOD KUMAR

A bench of Justice MM Sundresh and Justice Rajesh Bindal refused to hear the PIL by advocate Nitin Mattoo, stating that a similar petition is pending before the top court.

The matter has been pending before the top court since 2005. A petition was filed by the late Prof Bhim Singh, the then President of the Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party. Prof Bhim Singh passed away on 31 May, 2022.

The public interest plea by advocate Nitin Mattoo said that Pakistani prisoners who have completed their sentences, been acquitted, or against whom no case has been made out, but are still in prison, should be released.