Sarabjit Singh files fresh mercy petition

In a fresh mercy petition filed before Pakistani president Asif Ali Zardari seeking clemency for Sarabjit Singh, an Indian who is facing death sentence in Pakistan on terrorism charges, his lawyer has submitted fresh evidence to prove it is a case of mistaken identity.

Claiming that the Indian police have already captured Manjeet Singh Rattu, the actual culprit wanted by Pakistani authorities in connection with 1990 bombings in Lahore and Faisalabad, advocate Awais Sheikh, counsel of Sarabjit Singh has termed the case a matter of “mistaken identity”.

He said Sarabjit, who had been facing death penalty and languishing in Kot Lakhpat jail for the past 20 years, had nothing to do with the bombings.

Manjeet Singh, who used to visit Pakistan frequently under fake names and passports, actually carried out the terrorist attacks, he said.

The advocate told reporters that Manjeet Singh’s recent arrest in India and his expected confession about carrying out blasts in Pakistan would help secure release of Sarabjit, whose only offence was to cross the border under the influence of liquor.

The lawyer said he was going to file an application in the Supreme Court seeking reopening of Sarabjit’s case next week.

“I have collected proofs against the actual accused, Manjeet Singh, and submitted them in the Pakistani Supreme Court,” Sarabjit’s lawyer said.