Act on plea of family in Afg jail: SC

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Centre to decide the representation of a Kerala-based man seeking direction for extradition and repatriation of his daughter and minor granddaughter, who are at present detained in Afghanistan’s Pul-e-Charkhi jail.

A bench comprising justices L Nageswara Rao and B R Gavai directed the Centre to decide the representation made by V J Sebastian Francis within eight weeks.

In his petition, Francis, a resident of Ernakulam district, said his daughter has been booked in India in a case by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and for other offences. He said that the allegation is that his son-in-law along with his daughter and other accused persons had hatched a conspiracy to propagate terrorist organisation ISIS in waging war against Asiatic nations.

Francis said after reaching Afghanistan his son-inlaw got involved in a war and was killed, and his daughter and granddaughter, who were not actively involved in the fight, had to surrender before Afghan forces on November 15, 2019, along with several other women.

The apex court also granted liberty to Francis to approach the Kerala High Court if he is aggrieved with the decision taken by the Centre after the eight-week period. –(PTI)