PHC summons jail superintendent over Indian prisoner’s security

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Tuesday directed Superintendent of Central Prison Peshawar to appear and explain as to what security measures had been taken for the Indian convicted prisoner as he was twice attacked by the prisoners.

A two-member bench comprising Justice Musarrat Hilali and Justice Sikandar Ali Khan summoned the superintendent of the prison in a writ petition of the Indian convict, seeking protection from the prisoners.

Hamid Nehal Ansari, who is 31, had gone missing in November 2012 after illegally entering Pakistan from Afghanistan. He was finally traced in custody of security forces in January, this year. He was convicted by a military court and was sentenced to three years imprisonment.

Qazi Muhammad Anwar, counsel for the Indian convict, submitted before the bench that he had filed the petition for the prisoner as he was twice attacked by the prisoners. The lawyer submitted that first he was kept in death cell in the prison and later kept with dangerous prisoners.

The lawyer said that the superintendent of the prison had promised him that he would be shifted to hospital of the prison and kept in strict security, but no such arrangements were made. He said the Indian convict was presently kept with dangerous prisoners in the barrack. The lawyer informed the bench that the Indian high commissioner was in contact with him about the prisoner safety.

The convict was attacked for the second time recently by a dangerous prisoner who injured him. He was later treated for the wounds. During the course of hearing, Deputy Attorney General, Musarratullah Khan informed the bench the Indian high commissioner should contact the government of Pakistan if the Indian government wanted involvement in the case.

The noted human rights activist, Rukhshanda Naz, also appeared in the case for the Indian convict as she was in constant contact with the prisoner. She informed his lawyer about the present situation of the convict. She said the Indian prisoner was a practicing Muslim and offered prayers in the prison five times.