PTI, BHOPAL: Pakistani national Mohammed Imran Warsi, who is set to be repatriated to his native country after spending 10 years in a Bhopal jail, on Sunday said he will only be taking home the “good memories” of his time in India.
On December 26, the 40-year-old will be taken to the Wagah border, from where he will finally head home after a long wait.
Warsi was convicted in 2008 by a local court under the Official Secrets Act and the Passport Act. Among other charges, the court had found him guilty of conspiracy, cheating and forging documents.
He completed his sentence in March this year and has been staying at Bhopal’s Shahjahanabad police station ever since as he awaited completion of the legal formalities for his repatriation.
Recalling his time in prison, he said he is grateful to his fellow inmates who collected money to help him pay a fine imposed by the court.
“The inmates in Bhopal Central Jail were very friendly. They collected Rs 8,000 so I could deposit the fine imposed by the court. Otherwise I would have had to spend two
more years in jail. They helped me a lot,” Warsi told PTI.
He also praised the officials at the Shahjahanabad police station for treating him well.
“The police personnel have been very friendly and fulfilled my daily needs. They arranged clothes and food for me. I slept inside the police station. I am taking back good memories with me,” he said.
For the Karachi resident, the Shahjahanabad police station became his second home.
Though he is not under detention, Warsi cannot leave the police station. It is the nodal station where foreigners who are to be repatriated wait for completion of legal formalities.
Having spent a long time behind bars, he empathises with Indian prisoners languishing in Pakistani jails.
