The Supreme Court on Friday granted more time to the
Jammu and Kashmir government to inform it about the number of Pakistani
nationals detained under the provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety
Act, 1978.
A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan
gave six more weeks after the authorities informed that data relating to such
prisoners was lost during floods in the union territory.
The top court then posted the matter for hearing on July
25.
The apex court was hearing a plea filed by late
Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party leader and senior advocate Bhim Singh
who petitioned the court on Pakistani citizens detained under the provisions of
the Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act, 1978.
His plea sought such persons to be freed and
deported to Pakistan.
The top court previously expressed concerns over the
fate of those Pakistani nationals who were released from Indian jails after
completing their terms and if the neighbouring country did not accept them as
its citizens.
The government was, therefore, asked to bring in a
suitable mechanism to ensure such foreign nationals were not forced to remain
in jails as courts frequently dealt with complaints about Pakistani nationals
being incarcerated in jails despite having served their sentence.