Dr Chishti likely to be released from Ajmer jail today

Pakistan

Dr Chishti likely to be released from Ajmer jail today

Close

Dr Khalil Chishti is 80 now, and is unable to walk unaided.

11 April,2012 09:57 am

Dr Khalil Chishti, a Pakistani scientist who has spent many years at a prison in India’s Ajmer city, is likely to walk out of jail today. He was granted bail by the Indian Supreme Court on Monday. The Supreme Court order for Dr Chishtis bail has reached Ajmer, but will first have to be presented in the Ajmer sessions court.The Supreme Court, on Monday, had also agreed to hear his plea to return to Karachi and has asked his lawyers to file a separate petition for this.Dr Chishti is 80 now, and is unable to walk unaided. He has to be carried to and from jail by two people. Human rights activists have been pleading for assistance for him for years.He is accused of killing a man during a brawl in Ajmer in April 1992. He was visiting the Rajasthan city then to offer prayers at the famous shrine of Sufi saint Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti. Since then, he has not been allowed to travel back to Pakistan.In January last year, the Karachi virologist was awarded life imprisonment after an 18-year-long trial. Till then, he had remained largely under house arrest in Rajasthan, his lawyers say. After he was given the life sentence, he was placed in the Ajmer Jail. Some others convicted in the same case had been granted bail. Dr Chishtis Pakistani citizenship meant he was not allowed to leave prison.Indian media reported that Dr Chishtis case was discussed at Sundays lunch meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari during his one-day India visit.In June last year, Supreme Court Justice Markandeya Katju had requested Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to release Dr Chishty on humanitarian grounds. Acting on Justice Katjus appeal, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot approved his mercy plea and sent it to Governor Shivraj Patil for final clearance. After that, Mr Patil sent a questionnaire to the law department on various issues related to the case.