Khalistani terrorist to walk free after 30 yrs

The Bombay High Court on Monday released a Khalistani terrorist who was arrested in 1992. Nishant Singh Jaimal Singh Sohel, a dhaba owner, was arrested by the state police for murder and robbery at a petrol pump in Nashik. Later it was learnt that Singh was part of the Khalistan movement that was at the peak during the 70s and 80s for a separate Punjab, and he wanted to use the stolen money for it.

Nishant Singh had been arrested in 1992

Earlier the state had said that Singh will stay behind the bars for 50 years or till he turns 65. But this was challenged by Singh in 2011 through his counsel Neelkant Gavankar and Manas Gavankar, and Justice Ajay Khanwilkar of Bombay High Court had said that this was violating the Premature Release Rules and Guidelines 1992, after which the state had converted the imprisonment to 30 years. Singh was booked under the Terrorism and Disruptive Activities (Prevention Act) TADA.

"Now Singh has completed 24 years imprisonment and he has six years of remission from prison authorities for good behaviour. So he should be immediately released from the Arthur Road jail," senior counsel Neelkant Gavankar told the court.

Justices Vijaya Tahilra-mani and Mrudula Bhatkar had asked state government pleader Aruna Kamat Pai to check the Supreme Court orders and get clarification on them. She had citied the judgement of Union V/s Murgan the killers of late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

"Singh has been doing all types of work in jail. He has completed 30 years and three months if we calculate his remission term also. He had completed 24 years of imprisonment and had six years three months for good behaviour as remission," said Gavankar. The jail authorities are likely to release Singh on Wednesday.