Indian Soldiers In Pakistan Jails: The Supreme Court has issued a notice to the Central Government on the petition filed for the return of Indian soldiers lodged in Pakistani jails after the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War. The petition has been filed by Jasbir Kaur, wife of Major General Kanwaljit Singh. Major Kanwaljit Singh is in illegal custody of Pakistan as a prisoner of war for the last 50 years. In the petition, the Ministry of External Affairs, the Ministry of Defense and the Chief of Army Staff have been made parties.
Jasbir Kaur has said in the petition that in the last 50 years, at least 54 Indian soldiers are in illegal custody of Pakistan. Such evidence has been found, which proves that they are being harassed defying all local, international laws. Their fundamental rights are being violated. It has been said in the petition that there is a bilateral treaty between India and Pakistan. Despite this, neither these Indian prisoners of war have been returned, nor has there been any action against those who are accused of torturing Indian soldiers by illegally keeping them in custody.
The petition has demanded from the court that it should ask the Central Government to provide a list of all the Indian soldiers who were to be sent back to India. Also, the court should direct the Government of India to approach the International Court of Justice for the release of Indian soldiers illegally detained in violation of the Geneva Treaty.
Jasbir Kaur, in her petition, has demanded an inquiry into the murder of Captain Saurabh Kalia and 5 constables of Jat Regiment in the year 1999 by Pakistan in captivity and torture. According to the petition, the Government of India did not make concerted efforts for investigation and action in this matter.
A bench of Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice Surya Kant is hearing this petition. The bench has accepted that the questions raised in the petition are important. The court said that this is a serious matter. We are issuing notice to the central government. The next hearing will be held after three weeks.
Earlier India believes there are at least 83 missing defence personnel, including prisoners of wars of 1965 and 1971, waiting for their release from Pakistan’s custody, an affidavit filed by the Union government in the Supreme Court has disclosed.
