Chishty was finally released on bail from Ajmer jail, where he is serving life-term in a two-decade-old murder case.
Ailing Pakistani virologist Mohammed Khalil Chishty (80) was on Wednesday finally released on bail from Ajmer jail, where he is serving life-term in a two-decade-old murder case.
The Supreme Court granted bail to Chishty on humanitarian grounds a day after his case was discussed by the two countries during Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari’s visit to India.
Dressed in a white safari suit and sporting a skull cap, Chishty came out of the jail and thanked Zardari for taking up his case with India. He then expressed hope that Sarabjit Singh and other prisoners languishing in jails in each other’s countries will get justice.
“Zardari made efforts for me, I am thankful to him. I know Zardari’s family since my childhood days. I also thank him for visiting Ajmer,” he said and added, “I am not a free bird yet but I am happy to be out of the jail and want to breathe fresh air. I believe in God and thank him. Now, I wish to go to my country as soon as possible and meet my family members.”
Chishty’s brother Jamil and Cousin Aaiyad Anwar-ul-Haq along with other well-wishers received him when he was brought out of the Ajmer central jail in an ambulance around 4.15 pm.
According to reports, Chishty was released after he furnished a personal bond of Rs 1 lakh and two securities of 50,000 each in a fast track court. His brothers went to the jail and completed necessary formalities.
While granting bail, the apex court had directed Chishty not to leave the country without prior permission from court. However Chishty expressed hope to return to India again after he is allowed to go to Pakistan.
— With agency inputs
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