Geeta Mohan: An Indian fisherman serving a sentence in a Pakistani jail died on Sunday. He is the third Indian fisherman to die in Pak custody in a month and the fourth in two months. Other Indian fishermen who died in the last two months are Bichan Kumar alias Vipan Kumar (died on 4 April), Zulfikar (died on 6 May) and Soma Deva (died on 8 May).
Sources said the condition of three other Indian fishermen in Pakistan is critical.
Unfortunately, Jetha had already completed his sentence and according to sources, Pakistan continues to illegally detain more than 400 Indian prisoners in its prisons even after the prisoners have completed their sentences.
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Senior journalist Jatin Desai, who has been following the story of fishermen on both sides of the border, told India Today TV, “It is a sad situation. The families of the Indian fishermen caught by Pakistan are worried. In the absence of communication, they are always worried about their near and dear ones who are in jails in Pakistan.”
“India and Pakistan should allow a team of doctors to visit the other country to examine their own prisoners. This will also give some confidence to the family members,” Desai said.
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“This is appalling. Keeping them in prisons even after completion of sentence and confirmation of nationality is in violation of the Convention on Consular Access, 2008. It should be implemented in letter and spirit.”
According to Article 5 of the Agreement on Consular Access, 2008, “the two governments agree to release and repatriate persons within one month of confirmation of their national status and completion of sentence.”
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