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The Central Government has informed the Supreme Court that that there are around 83 missing Indian defence personnel awaiting release from Pakistan jails including 1965 and 1971 prisoners of war.

The affidavit has been filed in a petition filed one Captain Sanjit Singh's mother seeking direction for safe return of her son.

The affidavit as per the news report published by HT stated that "The High Commission of India in Islamabad has been regularly taking up the matter with the Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs for ascertaining the whereabouts and early release and repatriation of missing Indian defence personnel, believed to be in Pakistan’s custody. The name of Captain Sanjit appears in the list of missing Indian defence personnel shared with Pakistan through various Notes Verbale issued by the High Commission of India."

The plea filed by Kamla Bhattacharjee states that, “The petitioner's son in the span of past twenty three years has not been given any opportunity to state his case before the appropriate authority or allowed to communicate with his family members. He has been deprived of the basic right to freedom of speech and expressions under Article 19 of the Constitution."

In addition to this, it has further stated that "the petitioner's son, an Indian Army officer has been languishing in some unknown jail of Pakistan, but no appropriate action has been taken for his release by the respondent. Therefore, it is reiterated that this has resulted in the gross violation of the fundamental rights of Art. 14 and 21 of the Constitution of India."

Cause Title: Smt Kamla Bhattacharjee Vs. Union of India & Ant.