A bench of justices R M Lodha and H L Gokhale asked the government to come out with an explanation as to what prevented it to expatriate four women out of 300 estimated Pakistani prisoners kept behind the bars here.
“Right to personal liberty is the most dear Article (of the Constitution) to us and the most precious right given to the people,” the Bench said.
It pulled up the government for not giving complete information to it on prisoners kept in Indian jails across the country.
“You have complete information with you. Why do you give information piece meal,” the Bench asked and directed the Centre to file the response within two weeks.
The court was hearing a petition filed by Jammu & Kashmir National Panthers’ Party chief Bhim Singh seeking its directions to the Centre to release around 300 Pakistani nationals, lodged in different jails of the country.
“You should take certain things seriously. Give us entire picture so that we could pass order. Complete information is not forthcoming. Let there be a comprehensive exercise and complete information be provided about foreign nationals in Indian jails,” the Bench said.
The apex court had in January directed the Centre to release and repatriate 61 Pakistani nationals languishing in various Indian jails despite having served their sentences.
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