A Pakistani court on Friday asked the secretaries of the interior and foreign ministries to respond to a petition seeking the release of two Indian prisoners who are languishing in jail despite having completed their terms.
Justice Shujaat Ali Khan of the Lahore high court issued notices to the two officials in response to a petition filed by lawyer Awais Sheikh -- seeking the release of Indian prisoners Mangal Singh and Ram Das.
The judge asked the officials to submit their replies within two months.
In the petition, Sheikh said Singh, the son of Sudan Singh, had mistakenly crossed the border at Sialkot in May 2011 and was given a three-month
prison term.
Singh was shifted to Lahore's Kot Lakhpat Jail from Sialkot Jail in June 2011, Sheikh said.
Das, the son of Bijli Das, was arrested in September 2011 after he mistakenly crossed the border in Sialkot area.
He was later given a one-year prison term.
Sheikh told the judge both prisoners had completed their sentences.
"Their continuous detention is illegal, unlawful and against the principles of natural justice. It is also a violation of international laws," he argued.
He asked the judge to direct authorities to produce both prisoners in court and to make arrangements to repatriate them.
