Sick 101-year-old prisoner denied relief by Pakistani legal justice system

The jail authorities in Gujrat have turned a deaf ear to the appeal of the family and counsel of Mehndi Khan, a 101-year-old prisoner requesting for his release.

As per Rule 146 of the Jail Manual, the superintendent has the power to release prisoners owing to old age, infirmity or illness. Khan who is a high-risk cardiac patient with visual impairment and physical disability has been denied this relief by the jail authorities.

Khan's counsel in February wrote to District Jail Gujrat requesting the superintendent to use his power under Rule 146 to grant early release to Mehndi. However, the appeal has not been answered.

After facing failure, a petition was also filed in the Lahore High Court, appealing it to direct the jail to grant Mehndi premature release owing to his age and physical condition.