Islamabad High Court today [Friday] cancelled a detention order against the alleged mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attacks potentially paving the way for his release, prompting outrage in New Delhi.
The latest ruling means Lakhvi could be released as early as Saturday, though the government can still appeal to the Supreme Court.
Hours after the Islamabad High Court ruled that Lakhvi’s detention is illegal, Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit was summoned by the Indian foreign ministry.
“He may have been granted bail but as you know the trial continues, we are all working to complete the trial. Let the judicial process take its course,” Mr Basit said after the meeting.
India said it is Pakistan’s responsibility to take all legal measures to ensure that he doesn’t come out of jail.
Pakistan Foreign Office has said India’s protest over Lakhvi’s release was unnecessary. We cannot overrule court orders, the statement added.
Lakhvi, a top commander of the banned terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba, has been in jail since 2009 for charges of the attacks in Mumbai a year before, in which 166 people were killed.
