'Early release of jailed Pak scientist unlikely'

Mohammed Khalil Chisti, the 77-year-old Pakistani scientist jailed on murder charge in Rajasthan, may not be released from jail any time soon as there are many issues with regard to commuting his sentence, official sources said in New Delhi.

Mohammed Khalil Chisti, the 77-year-old Pakistani scientist jailed on murder charge in Rajasthan, may not be released from jail any time soon as there are many issues with regard to commuting his sentence, official sources said in New Delhi.

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Apart from the issue of reciprocity by Pakistan, the case cannot be viewed in isolation as there are many such prisoners in the Indian jails. These issues are to be sorted out before Chisti's release. Sources said the final call will be taken by Rajasthan governor Shivraj Patil.

The governor had recently sought details from the union government about the case.

Chisti was given life sentence by a trial court in Ajmer for killing of one of his distant relatives Idris. According to sources, they will have take into consideration the views of victim's family as well. Therefore, it is likely that a decision on Chisti may take little more time.

Many NGOs are campaigning for the release of Chisti on humanitarian and health grounds. Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot has cleared the mercy petition of Chisti. Now the state governor has to take a call on it.

Meanwhile, Chisti's daughter has requested Rajasthan governor to release her father on humanitarian ground. Amna Chisti, residing in Canada, forwarded her request via a social activist in Jaipur recently in which she requested the governor to consider her father's age, health, and educational background, and recommend his release at the earliest.