New Delhi:
Expressing concern about the attack on Pakistani prisoner Sanaullah Ranjay, the Supreme Court today asked the Centre and the Jammu and Kashmir government to explain why adequate steps were not taken to prevent such assaults.
"We are more concerned why such incidents are happening in jails. Lives of inmates are put in danger. It is a serious matter and can't be accepted. We are pained and concerned about the incident," the court said.
The court also sought details about the action taken against erring jail officials, besides asking the Centre and the state government to enlist steps being taken to ensure that such incidents do not recur.
The court made these observations while hearing a petition seeking repatriation of Sanaullah. However, dismissing the plea, the court said, "The issue of repatriation of injured Pakistani prisoner Sanaullah Ranjay does not arise as he has not completed his jail term." It will hear the matter again in July.
Sanaullah, 54, was assaulted with bricks at a jail in Jammu on May 3. He is said to be in "deep coma". He was arrested in 1999, convicted for terrorist activities and awarded life term.
The attack on him happened a day after Indian prisoner Sarabjit Singh died from the grievous injuries he suffered after being assaulted in a prison in Lahore.
Pakistan wants India to allow Sanaullah to return home for treatment "on humanitarian grounds." It has alleged that the attack on him was an "obvious retaliation to the death of Indian prisoner Sarabjit Singh."