Martyr Sarabjit Singh: A Back Ground
As per reports, Shri Sarabjit Singh was in Pakistani Jail since 30.08.1990. The Anti-Terrorism Court, Lahore awarded him capital punishment on 03.10.1991 for murder through terrorist acts of 4 bomb explosions in Lahore (3 blasts) and Multan (1 blast). The Supreme Court of Pakistan upheld the sentence on 18.08.2005. However, lawyer and family members of Sarabjit Singh claim that he was a farmer and strayed across the border inadvertently. They also allege that this is a case of mistaken identity and the crimes were committed by a person called Manjeet Singh. In the list of Indian prisoners handed over by Pakistanon January 1 and July 1, every year, his name is mentioned as Sarabjit Singh @ Manjeet Singh.
Sarabjit attacked, succumbs to injury
Sarabjit Singh was brutally attacked by inmates in Prison and remained in Coma thereafter. 4 members of his family including his sister, wife & daughters visited him in Hospital. Various requests were also made by Indian Government to shift Sarabjit to India or to a third country for treatment.
Sarabjit Singh finally died in a Lahore hospital early morning on 2nd May 2013 from injuries suffered in a murderous attack on him in the city's Kot Lakhpat jail last week. His funeral took place on 3rd May 2013 in his native town #Bhikhiwind. Punjab govt accords him status of martyr. Indian Parliament expressed shock & condemned the inhuman treatment.
NDA Regime: No Significant Diplomatic Efforts
Sarabjit was arrested in 1990 and at that the Central Govt was headed by 3rd Front with outside support from BJP.
No record of any significant diplomatic efforts made up to 2004 or if the issue was even taken up during Agra Summit or Lahore / Islamabad visits.
UPA Regime: Diplomacy Failed Despite Efforts
2005:
2005: On the request of the High Commission of India, Islamabad consular access was provided by the Government of Pakistan
September 6, 2005: The High Commission confirmed the nationality of Sarabjit Singh, as Indian.
Prime Minister was assured by President Musharraf during their meeting in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly that he would look at the question of clemency to Sarabjit Singh in a humanitarian way.
Then External Affairs Minister (EAM), Natwar Singh, took up the matter with the Pakistan High Commissioner in New Delhi.
October 2005: EAM took up the matter with President Musharraf, during his visit to Islamabad
2006:
MEA had formally requested the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi on March 17, 2006, to treat the matter sympathetically and to examine his mercy petition with compassion.
2008:
19.04.2008: Pakistan Govt on the request of the High Commission of India provided Consular Access for Sarabjit Singh to the High Commission officials for ensuring and enquiring about his welfare and well being.
April 23-29, 2008: High Commission of India, Islamabad assisted his sister Smt. Dalbir Kaur, his wife and two daughters during their visit to Pakistan.
April 24, 2008: Govt. of Pakistan allowed the family to meet Sarabjit Singh in Kot Lakhpat Jail, Lahore.
2009:
09.09.2009: Pakistan Govt on the request of the High Commission of India provided Consular Access for Sarabjit Singh to the High Commission officials for ensuring and enquiring about his welfare and well being.
2011:
April 22-23, 2011: Members of India-Pakistan Judicial Committee on Prisoners met Sarabjit Singh and other Indian prisoners during their visit to Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore.
14.06.2011: Pakistan Govt on the request of the High Commission of India provided Consular Access for Sarabjit Singh to the High Commission officials for ensuring and enquiring about his welfare and well being.
11.08.2011: Then External Affairs Minister, while giving a statement in the Rajya Sabha remarked on the case of Sarabjit Singh stating, “it is not our case that he was involved. We don’t share that” and, “it is necessary for them to take a humanitarian view.”
2012:
December 2012: The issue was again taken up with Pakistan during the meeting between the Home Minister and Pakistan’s Interior Minister, Mr. Rehman Malik in New Delhi
http://news.outlookindia.com/items.aspx?artid=783704
Post Kasab Hanging:
Some including Sarabjit's own family feared that his case could suffer a setback after the developments in India relating to Hanging of Ajmal Kasab, for involvement in Mumbai Attack (26/11). And the problems might have multiplied further after hanging of Afzal Guru, accused in Attack on Parliament.
PS: The above compilation is based on information from various sources. It may however require some changes. If you have any update on above or any additional links which could be included in the compilation, please inform us through either of the below mentioned options.
Email: friendsofcongress@gmail.com
Twitter: @friendscongress
Facebook: www.facebook.com/friendscongress
Blogspot: friendscongress.blogspot.com
