Punjab man, who got swept into Pakistan in 2024, languishes in jail despite completing sentence
The family members have made appeal to Central Government to ensure Harpreet’s immediate release
For almost 16 months, an elderly couple from Ferozepur has been running from pillar to post knocking at every possible door seeking the return of their son who was allegedly swept into Pakistan last year and was reportedly taken into custody by Pakistani agencies.
According to the family sources, though the victim identified as Harpreet Singh (38) of Hasteke village has already served the sentence awarded by a Pakistani court, he still continues to languish in the jail.
Harpreet's father Joginder Singh said that they have around seven acres of agriculture land in Hasteke village besides another ten acres on lease around, three kilometres ahead of Machhiwara village situated close to international border.
“My son — who helped me in farming — had gone to bring green fodder from their fields situated near Sutlej in Machhiwara village in August 2024 when owing to the strong current in Sutlej, he was accidentally swept away towards Pakistan. He was taken into custody by the Pakistan Rangers," said Joginder. "We kept searching for him. We even filed a police complaint, however, after a few weeks, we received a call from Pakistani authorities who informed us that Harpreet was in their custody."
According to information, an FIR No. 1120 was registered against Harpreet Singh on November 1, 2024, at Ganda Singh Wala police station in Pakistan under Sections 3 and 4 of the Pakistan Control of Entry Act, 1952. Later, the court, of Judicial Magistrate First Class Ghulam Murtaza Virk in Kasur, in its orders dated November 6, 2024, reportedly sentenced him to one-month imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 3,000 which was paid by the parents through an advocate, as per their claim. However, despite the completion of his sentence, Harpreet has not been released from the jail,” said Joginder.
"The prolonged detention without any malafide or sinister intention has taken an emotional toll on the family," said 62-year-old Harjeet Kaur, Harpreet's mother.
Harpreet’s wife, Mandeep Kaur lives with their two children, 13-year-old son Karandeep Singh and seven-year-old daughter Manreet Kaur, both of whom continue to endlessly wait for their father’s return. Mandeep said that her husband was innocent and has already completed the sentence awarded by the Pakistani court, yet his release has not been effected.
While talking to The Tribune, the family members said that they have made a fervent appeal to the Central Government to intervene and ensure Harpreet’s immediate release.
