India frees a Pak national accused of espionage

FREE AT LAST: Jamal Qureshi was released after two-and-a-half years in jail.

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New Delhi: Amid talk of a reciprocal arrangement between New Delhi and Islamabad for releasing prisoners, India released a Pakistani national on Wednesday after a fast-track court in Uttar Pradesh on Monday absolved him of charges of espionage, spreading fake currency and trying to disrupt peace in India.

Thirty-year old Jamal Qureshi was released on Wednesday after two-and-a-half years in jail. He had been arrested in October, 2005.

"I am going back home after two-and-a-half years. I am very happy. I hope all such prisoners in other countries should be let off. I hope Sarabjit too is set free and so that he can meet his family," Jamal said hours after his release.

Police sources confirmed that he would be handed over to the Pakistani Rangers later on Wednesday in the presence of his family members.

Jamal was taken to Atari border on Tuesday night by the Intelligence Agencies and the BSF.

The Shahjahanpur fast-track court acquitted him, saying: “The prosecution has failed to prove the charges levelled against this young man. He was not involved in any anti-national activities either.”

Jamal was arrested when he was on a trip to India to attend a cousin’s wedding. The police had claimed they found 20 fake Rs 100 notes on him.

Jamal's Indian relatives had disowned him fearing social ostracism and he had been living with a well-wisher even after receiving bail. "I had given up hope of ever returning home," he said.

(With agency inputs)