There are reports that Sarabjit is being denied his right to meet people, even jail inmates, and kept in surroundings without proper sunlight and in “solitary confinement” as claimed by his sister Dalbir Kaur.
Singh’s counsel in the Lahore High Court, Awais Sheik, on Thursday brought to the notice of Chief Justice Ijaz Chaudhary the report of the Pakistani Inspector General of Prisons on Sarabjit which stated that “frequent meetings with a prisoner of an enemy country is not feasible”.
He said such comments might affect bilateral ties between India and Pakistan. The case will come up for hearing on September 20, Sheik said.
However, the report stating Sarabjit as a “prisoner of an enemy country” could make matters difficult for Sarabjit demanding grant and restoration of his human rights.
Back home, Dalbir Kaur said she was seeking an appointment with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the Home Minister for their intervention in the matter.
Sarabjit was sentenced to death in 2003 for his alleged involvement in blasts in Pakistan in 1990 that killed 14 people.
He was set to be hanged on April 1, 2008, however, his death was put off following intervention of human right activists and even Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani who sought to examine the issue.
Kaur said she was informed by his advocate in Lahore of the development. She said her brother may not survive inside the prison and needed urgent medical attention. He slipped into depression because he was lodged in a “solitary cell,” she alleged.
Awais Sheikh told the court that Singh has been suffering from backache, high blood pressure, eating disorder, migraine, insomnia and high cholesterol as he was being kept in surroundings without proper sunshine.
A prayer to allow yoga for Sarabjit has also been made before the High Court.