India raises Kirpal Singh's issue with Pakistan

New Delhi: India on Wednesday raised the issue of Indian inmate Kirpal Singh’s mysterious death with Pakistan authorities, who said he died of heart attack at a Lahore jail two days back even as the Indian government has sought a probe into the matter.

India’s Acting High Commissioner J.P. Singh met the Director General (South Asia) in the Pakistan Foreign Ministry in Islamabad following a directive from the Indian government in connection with death of Kirpal, who was languishing for nearly 25 years in jail in connection with an alleged serial blasts case there.

Later, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj met Kirpal’s family and conveyed that the government was making all  efforts to get his mortal remains back as early as possible.

“According to government of Pakistan, Kirpal Singh died on April 11 at 14.55 hours due to heart attack. We await further details,” Spokesperson in the External Affairs  Ministry Vikas Sw-arup said. He said the mortal remains of Kirpal have been sought. Ms. Swaraj also informed the family that India will try to revive the Indo-Pak Judicial Committee dealing with the welfare and overall status of prisoners of India and Pakistan lodged in each other's jails. The  Committee has not met for the last couple of years.

Earlier, Mr. Swarup had said that India’s acting high commissioner was instructed to seek a meeting at the highest level in Pakistan Foreign Office for  early transportation of Kirpal’s mortal remains as also official information on the cause of the death and post-mortem report.