Eighty-two-year-old Pakistani scientist Mohammed Khalil Chishty imprisoned for life in a brawl-related-murder case was on Thursday permitted by the Supreme Court to go back home after 20 years with a condition that he would return after five months for hearing of his appeal by the apex court.
While grating the permission to the Karachi-based microbiologist to go back to his home, a bench of Justices P. Sathasivam and J. Chelameswar also imposed certain other conditions on him, including depositing of `5 lakh as cash security with the SC registry within two weeks and on reaching Pakistan h would surrender his passport to the Indian high commission.
The top court further directed that Chishty should return to India by November 1 for the hearing of his appeal, which would be taken up for arguments on November 20. The bench made it clear that his departure would be strictly subject to the fulfilment of the conditions.
The permission came after the top court had granted bail to him on April 9 while admitting his appeal against the Rajasthan high court verdict.
The apex court granted permission to Mr Chishty by taking into account his old age, good conduct during trial as well as in the jail and his high qualification.
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Will meet sarabjit if i can: Chishty
Age Correspondent
Jaipur, May 10
The apex court’s order to allow Pakistani virologist Khalil Chishty to visit Karachi was received with much happiness at Jamil Chishty’s house in Ajmer, where Dr Khalil Chishty has been staying. “Aap meri khusi ka andaza nahi laga sakte (you can not gauge my happiness),” said Mr Chishty.
“If I get an opportunity to call on Indian prisoner Sarabjit, I will meet him. I wish justice for him,” said Mr Chishty.