Pak scientist Khalil Chishty likely to be released from Ajmer jail today

Ajmer, Apr 11 (ANI): Dr Khalil Chishty, a Pakistani scientist, who has spent many years at Ajmer Central Jail in connection with a murder case, is likely to walk out of jail today.

He was granted bail by the Supreme Court on Monday. The apex court order for Dr Chishty's bail has reached Ajmer, but will first have to be presented in the Ajmer sessions court.

The apex court had also agreed to hear his plea to return to Karachi and has asked his lawyers to file a separate petition for this.

Dr Chishty is 80 now, and is unable to walk unaided. He has to be carried to and from jail by two people.

He is accused of killing a man during a brawl in Ajmer in April 1992. He was visiting the Rajasthan city then to offer prayers at the famous shrine of Sufi saint Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chisty.

In June, 2011, Justice Markandey Katju of the Supreme Court appealed to the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to release Chishty on humanitarian grounds.

In an email sent to the Prime Minister Justice Katju said he was making this appeal, not as a judge but as a human being, for the release of Dr. Khalil Chishty, who is old and infirm, under Article 72 of the Constitution.

Acting on Justice Katju's appeal, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot approved his mercy plea and sent it to Governor Shivraj Patil for final clearance. After that, Patil sent a questionnaire to the law department on various issues concerning the case. (ANI)