India deported foreign prisoners even without reciprocity: SC

New Delhi, April 28

With India and Pakistan embroiled in a diplomatic row over Kulbhushan Jadhav, the Supreme Court on Friday said India has deported several foreign prisoners even in matters where “no reciprocity” has been shown by those nations.

A Bench, comprising Justices AK Sikri and Ashok Bhushan, while dealing with the issue of release of Pakistani nationals from Indian jails on completion of their prison terms, said no other consideration comes into its way for the release of foreign prisoners once they complete their punishment.

“We do it even when there is no reciprocity from the other country. We do it despite what is happening with our people in that country where they are in jail. We have read about Mr Jadhav,” the Bench said, without naming Pakistan.

Jadhav, a retired Indian Navy officer, was sentenced to death earlier this month by a Pakistani military court on the charge of “espionage”, evoking a sharp reaction in India which warned Pakistan of consequences and damage to bilateral ties if the “pre-meditated murder” was carried out.

The apex court made the remarks while hearing a petition filed by senior advocate Bhim Singh relating to Pakistani prisoners in Indian jails.

Singh referred to Article 21 (right to life) of the Constitution and argued that even the apex court had directed the Centre to deport those foreign prisoners who have completed their jail term here.

“We are proud of our Constitution,” the Bench said.

Singh, who heads a political party, Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party, also made a mention of a number of such prisoners languishing in jails here.

The Bench asked him to give a list containing details of such prisoners.

“We do not know whether they are political prisoners or they have committed an offence? We do not know about it. Unless we have the particulars of all these prisoners who have been sentenced for any offence and have undergone the sentence,” the Bench said.

Singh, however, argued that he was fighting for “the rule of law and the world should know about Indian rule of law.”

Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar told the Bench that the matter was pending for a long time and there was a mechanism by which the prisoners, who are from other countries and have served their sentences here, were sent back to their native nation. — PTI