Mohammed Shayeed Ali, an Indian national had an emotional reunion with his family after three years of crossing over to Pakistan on charges of carrying a gold biscuit weighing 200 gms.
A repatriated, Ali, had an emotional reunion with his family soon after crossing over to India at the International Border here. Ali, trying to hold back his tears, embraced his brother who was waiting since morning to receive him.
Ali, a resident of Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh, went to Pakistan three years ago where he was arrested by the Custom authorities for carrying a gold biscuit weighing 200 gms.
"On reaching Pakistan, I was arrested by the Custom authorities for carrying a gold biscuit weighing 200 grams. It is illegal under Pakistan's Custom Act to carry gold," Ali told reporters.
He said a Pakistani court sentenced him to five years in prison which was later reduced to three years.
The reduction in sentence was possible only when "my mother visited Pakistan by Delhi-Lahore bus service and filed a petition in the Lahore High Court against the judgement of the lower court", Ali said.
He said while crossing over to Pakistan, he had declared before the Indian Custom authorities the gold biscuit he was carrying.
"But, at no point of time, I was told that carrying gold to Pakistan was illegal," Ali said.
{{/usCountry}}"But, at no point of time, I was told that carrying gold to Pakistan was illegal," Ali said.
{{/usCountry}}He said during his three-year imprisonment in Pakistan, he met more than 100 Indian youths languishing in jails.