Srinagar, A Pakistani prisoner’s recent suicide attempt in Central Jail Alwar, Rajasthan, has cast a harsh spotlight on the systemic issues plaguing judicial and detention practices in India, particularly concerning foreign nationals.

According to Kashmir Media Service, 60-year-old Hamid Khan from Pasheen, Baluchistan, engaged in a life-threatening act that underscores the dire circumstances many Pakistani prisoners face in India. Despite completing their sentences, numerous individuals remain behind bars, fostering conditions of hopelessness and severe psychological strain. Among the detained, 347 are Pakistani citizens, which includes 249 civilians and 98 fishermen, many of whom are embroiled in protracted legal battles over alleged fabricated charges.

The narrative of detainees like Khan, who remain confined without repatriation, challenges the bilateral mechanisms supposedly in place to address such issues. Despite the protocol of exchanging prisoner lists biannually between India and Pakistan, significant delays and roadblocks persist, exacerbating the plight of those incarcerated.

The incident in Rajasthan is not an isolated event but rather indicative of a broader pattern of neglect and inefficiency within the judicial and penal systems, raising questions about their adherence to principles of justice and human rights. The protracted detention of 76 Pakistani prisoners, who have served their terms yet remain in custody, signifies a glaring oversight that demands rectification.

The onus is now on the Indian government to expedite the review and release of foreign prisoners who have completed their sentences, particularly in cases lacking substantial evidence or justification for continued detention. Furthermore, this incident should act as a catalyst for international bodies and NGOs to intensify their scrutiny and advocacy, ensuring that legal standards are uniformly applied and respected, thereby safeguarding the dignity and rights of all individuals within the judicial process.