With questions being raised over the death in mysterious circumstances of Chambail Singh, an Indian citizen, who died on January 15 after he was allegedly assaulted by the staff of Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore, the Government of India is mulling reviving the eight-member Indo-Pak joint judicial committee (JJC) and sending the four jurist members of the team from India to Pakistan. The commission, which was formed in January 2007 to recommend steps for the humane treatment and expeditious release of prisoners languishing in jails of the two countries, has been inactive for last over one year due to rising tensions between the two neighbours. Sources said the Indian team could be sent to Pakistan soon to visit all main jails to study the condition of the Indian prisoners lodged in Pakistan jails and also try and get some of them, especially those who are languishing in jail despite their jail term getting over, released on humanitarian grounds. India has already sought from Pakistan authorities a detailed report about Chambail including his post mortem report. Sources revealed the Indian government was keen to send the four member Indian team to Islamabad early this year to review jail conditions and meet Indian prison inmates lodged in various jails but the visit got postponed. The brutal killing of two Indian Army soldiers had escalated tension across the LoC in January prompting New Delhi to go slow on the confidence building measures (CBMs) with Pakistan. “The JJC will take up the issue (of Singh’s death) when it visits Islamabad. We hope the dates will be fixed soon,” a top government official said. There are approximately 220 civilian prisoners and 400 fishermen believed to be Indian, in Pakistani jails. On Thursday, Pakistan high commissioner Salman Bashir said an investigation has been ordered into Chambel Singh’s death maintaining that there should be “no anxiety” over the issue. “The Punjab government has taken notice of it and an investigation is in process, that is all that I know that I’m in a position to convey to you and there should be no anxiety on this issue,” he told reporters. The Union home ministry meanwhile had written to the J&K government to confirm Chambail’s identity to allow his body to be brought back. Post the confirmation received from the state government, the MHA communicated to the MEA paving the way for the return of his body.
