Chishty released from Ajmer jail
Freedom for 80-year-old Pakistani microbiologist Khalil Chishty came after 14 months on Wednesday when he was released from the Central jail in Ajmer. Granting bail in the two-decade-old murder case, the Supreme Court had, however, directed Dr Chishty not to leave country without prior permission from the court.
“Is khuli hava me saans lena mera birth right hai, mein yahin paida hua hun aur mein bahut khush hun (To breathe in this free air is my birth right. I was born here and I am so happy), says an emotional Dr Chishty. When Dr Chishty emerged from the jail, his brother Jameel distributed sweets outside the jail. Dr Chishty will remain in Ajmer with his younger brother Jameel during the bail period, but his relatives indicated that they will file a fresh petition seeking permission to let him visit his family.
Granted bail by the Supreme Court in the two-decade-old case, Dr Chishty said he was thankful to Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari for taking up his case with India.
“Mr Zardari made efforts for me, I am thankful to him. I know Mr Zardari’s family since my childhood days. I also thank him for visiting Ajmer,” he said.
He also expressed hope that Sarabjit Singh and other prisoners languishing in each other’s country will be freed.
The ailing scientist Chishty was brought out from the Ajmer jail premises in an ambulance as he could not walk on his own.
His brother Jameel Chishty and other relatives were present outside the jail to receive him. But as a battery of mediapersons crowded around the vehicle, he was taken to a guesthouse where he interacted with the media for over 90 minutes.
After furnishing a personal bond of `1 lakh and two securities of `50,000 each in a fast track court, his brothers went to the jail where he was released after completion of formalities.
Puffing a “bidi”, a relieved Chishty said while he was eagerly waiting to go back home, this will not be his last visit to India. “I may not make this trip to India my last trip as I wish to visit India again once I am allowed to go to Pakistan,” he said. The additional sessions court in Ajmer had sentenced Dr Chishty to life imprisonment on January 31, 2011 in a murder case. Since then, he has been serving the term in Ajmer Central jail.
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