Release Dr Chishty: Ramdas, Nayar, Bhatt, others appeal to Home Minister Chidambaram
Home Minister
Government of India
New Delhi
Reg.: Pardon for Pakistani prisoner Dr. Khaleel Chishty
Dear Sir,
We, the undersigned, are making this appeal for Dr. Khaleel Chishty (aged 80), a citizen of Pakistan who is currently in the hospital jail in Ajmer, Rajasthan. He was head of the Department of Virology and Microbiology at Karachi University. His academic career was brilliant and he was a popular figure. His family is too well educated, one of his daughters is a doctor in Karachi and the other holds a high position in Canada.
Dr. Chishty came to Ajmer in 1992 to see his ailing mother, and stayed at his brother's place. During his stay a fight broke out between his brother and his relatives; and unfortunately one person died. Dr. Chishty had nothing to do with this dispute. Dr. Chishty was arrested with two others under section 302 and 307 of the IPC.
Subsequently, he was released on bail and was confined to a village outside Ajmer. While he was out on bail he never violated any bail condition. He was always available whenever he was asked to remain present before the police or court.
He is suffering from multiple ailments. When he was taken to the Ajmer jail in January 2011 after a trial court verdict, two police personnel had to virtually carry him. His family members wish to see him return to his home (Pakistan) and spend his last days with his grandchildren.
As you are aware, couple of days ago Pakistan released Mr. Gopal Dass, an Indian citizen, following an appeal by the Supreme Court of India. We urge that it would be a good reciprocal gesture on the part of India to release Dr. Chishty. Civil society in Pakistan too has appealed for the release of Dr. Chishty.
We have appealed to the President of India Shrimati Pratibha Patil and Rajasthan Governor Shri Shivraj Patil to use their constitutional power and release Dr. Chishty. We reiterate that he is a person of impeccable character. We urge you to note his advanced age and see that Dr. Chishty returns his home as soon as possible.
Awaiting your favourable response.
Thanking you,
1. Mahesh Bhatt, Film Maker
2. Kuldip Nayar, Veteran Journalist
3. Admiral L Ramdas, Retired Indian Navy Chief
4. Jatin Desai, Journalist & Focus on the Global South
5. Shahid Siddiqui, Journalist
6. Vrinda Grover, Lawyer & SAHR
7. Kamla Bhasin, SANGAT
8. Mazher Hussain, CoVA
9. Kavita Srivastava, PUCL
c/o, Focus on the Global South 40/A, Ftfloor, St. Thomas Church Marg, Kalina Village, Santacruz (East). Mumbai 400 028 Telfax: 2665 3308
Click here to view PDF
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
April 18 2011
Shri P ChidambaramHome Minister
Government of India
New Delhi
Reg.: Pardon for Pakistani prisoner Dr. Khaleel Chishty
Dear Sir,
We, the undersigned, are making this appeal for Dr. Khaleel Chishty (aged 80), a citizen of Pakistan who is currently in the hospital jail in Ajmer, Rajasthan. He was head of the Department of Virology and Microbiology at Karachi University. His academic career was brilliant and he was a popular figure. His family is too well educated, one of his daughters is a doctor in Karachi and the other holds a high position in Canada.
Dr. Chishty came to Ajmer in 1992 to see his ailing mother, and stayed at his brother's place. During his stay a fight broke out between his brother and his relatives; and unfortunately one person died. Dr. Chishty had nothing to do with this dispute. Dr. Chishty was arrested with two others under section 302 and 307 of the IPC.
Subsequently, he was released on bail and was confined to a village outside Ajmer. While he was out on bail he never violated any bail condition. He was always available whenever he was asked to remain present before the police or court.
He is suffering from multiple ailments. When he was taken to the Ajmer jail in January 2011 after a trial court verdict, two police personnel had to virtually carry him. His family members wish to see him return to his home (Pakistan) and spend his last days with his grandchildren.
As you are aware, couple of days ago Pakistan released Mr. Gopal Dass, an Indian citizen, following an appeal by the Supreme Court of India. We urge that it would be a good reciprocal gesture on the part of India to release Dr. Chishty. Civil society in Pakistan too has appealed for the release of Dr. Chishty.
We have appealed to the President of India Shrimati Pratibha Patil and Rajasthan Governor Shri Shivraj Patil to use their constitutional power and release Dr. Chishty. We reiterate that he is a person of impeccable character. We urge you to note his advanced age and see that Dr. Chishty returns his home as soon as possible.
Awaiting your favourable response.
Thanking you,
1. Mahesh Bhatt, Film Maker
2. Kuldip Nayar, Veteran Journalist
3. Admiral L Ramdas, Retired Indian Navy Chief
4. Jatin Desai, Journalist & Focus on the Global South
5. Shahid Siddiqui, Journalist
6. Vrinda Grover, Lawyer & SAHR
7. Kamla Bhasin, SANGAT
8. Mazher Hussain, CoVA
9. Kavita Srivastava, PUCL
c/o, Focus on the Global South 40/A, Ftfloor, St. Thomas Church Marg, Kalina Village, Santacruz (East). Mumbai 400 028 Telfax: 2665 3308
Click here to view PDF
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
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