Lahore/New Delhi: Indian death row prisoner in Pakistan Sarabjit Singh may be brain dead and is being sustained by life support system, reports said on Tuesday.
Sarabjit Singh’s sister Dalbir Kaur is also reportedly returning to India via Wagah border to seek advice on whether ventilator support to her brother should be withdrawn.
Before leaving for India, Dalbir Kaur told reporters that she needs to consult with people back in India and would be crossing Wagah at around 2.30 pm today.
The development was also confirmed by Rajkumar Veerka, Vice Chairman, SC& ST Commission.
“Spoke to Dalbir Kaur in Pakistan, she said that doctors have told her Sarbajit’s brain is dead,” he tweeted.
The Pakistan media had earlier reported that Sarabjit Singh was in extremely critical condition. His immediate family members were allowed to meet him again in the Jinnah hospital in Lahore.
With his condition worsening, the Government of India (GoI) has asked Pakistan to release Sarabjit Singh so that he could be brought back home for treatment.
The GoI also demanded that the attack on Sarabjit be thoroughly investigated to identify those who were responsible and to ensure that they are punished. .
The government also asked Pakistan to consider the option of transferring 49-year-old Sarabjit to India so that he can benefit from the best medical treatment available here.
Based on the most recent medical bulletin put out by doctors treating him, it is clear that his condition remains critical, Ministry of External Affairs said, adding that it “shares the anguish and concern of his family members, and our prayers will remain with them”.
In a statement, the Ministry said, “In view of the recent tragic events and present circumstances, we once again appeal to the Government of Pakistan to take a sympathetic and humanitarian view of this case, and release Sarabjit Singh.”
MEA also noted that “it is the responsibility of the Government of Pakistan to ensure the safety and security of all Indian prisoners in their custody.”
Meanwhile, the Ministry said officials of the Indian High Commission are in touch with the medical authorities at Jinnah Hospital in Lahore and “we would like them to consider the option of transferring Sarabjit Singh to India so that he can benefit from the best medical treatment available here.”
