Prisoner released from Pakistan jail seeks relief
July 16th, 2011 - 1:00 am ICT by IANSNew Delhi, July 15 (IANS) Gopal Dass, an Indian who spent 28 years in a Pakistani jail, Friday moved the Supreme Court seeking direction to the government to compensate him for the mental torture he suffered as a consequence of what he called a task assigned to him by India’s external intelligence agency.
The apex court bench of Justice Markandey Katju and Justice C.K. Prasad was told that the government was duty bound to ensure that the petitioner earned his livelihood and was compensated for the loss he suffered at the hands of Pakistani officials for working for the government of India.
Gopal Dass was arrested by Pakistani Rangers guarding its border in 1984 and was charged with engaging in espionage activities against Pakistan. He was awarded life imprisonment by a Pakistani military court in 1986.
He was released from the Pakistani jail April 7, after the apex court bench headed by Justice Katju appealed to Pakistani authorities to consider the prisoner’s plea for remitting the remaining period of his sentence.
Appearing for Gopal Dass, counsel Arvind Kumar Sharma said that having spent the prime of his life in Pakistani jails, his client was entitled to some employment or compensation.
The court asked government counsel Ashok Bhan to seek instructions from officials and adjourned the matter for four weeks.
- Supreme Court urges Pakistan to release jailed Indian - Mar 14, 2011
- Pak releases Indian prisoner Gopal Dass - Apr 07, 2011
- Indian jailed in Pakistan moves apex court - Jul 07, 2010
- Efforts on to free Indians from Pakistan jails, court told - Feb 07, 2011
- Apex court grants bail to Chisti, appreciates India-Pakistan bonhomie (Lead) - Apr 09, 2012
- SC split verdict on Madani's bail plea in Bangalore blast case - May 04, 2011
- Kasab, aides planned to return to Karachi, SC told - Feb 16, 2012
- Pakistani virologist Chisty released, apex court told - Mar 19, 2012
- Apex court to hear Kasab's plea Monday - Oct 09, 2011
- Pakistani president pardons Indian jailed for 27 years - Mar 27, 2011
- Indian returns home after 27 years in Pakistani prison (Second Lead) - Apr 07, 2011
- Kasab attack was war against nation, Maharashtra tells SC - Feb 15, 2012
- Pakistan apex court not to seek release of prisoner in India - Jun 16, 2011
- Rehabilitate sex workers, Supreme Court tells states - May 04, 2011
- Family urges India to recognise Punjab man in Pakistan jail - Jul 15, 2010
Tags: 28 years, apex court, arvind kumar, ashok, court bench, espionage, external intelligence, government counsel, government of india, intelligence agency, jails, kumar sharma, life imprisonment, mental torture, military court, pakistani authorities, pakistani officials, pakistani rangers, petitioner, prasad