Killing of soldiers by Pakistan: SC notice to Centre on PIL

The Supreme Court on Monday issued a notice to the Centre on a PIL seeking direction to the government to raise before the International Criminal Court the issue of beheading and mutilation of the bodies of two Indian soldiers by Pakistan.

A bench of justices P Sathasivam and J S Khehar asked the government to file a response within four weeks.

The bench tagged the case with another petition, which had raised the issue of mutilation of the body of another Indian soldier, late Captain Saurabh Kalia, by Pakistani armed forces during the Kargil war.

The court passed the order on a PIL filed by one Sarwa Mitter, alleging that the government has not taken any action against Pakistan after the ghastly killing of the two jawans on January 8 and sought the court's interference in the matter.

"Killing of two jawans of Indian Army, including their beheading, is highly heinous and inhuman. Therefore, direct the government to refer actions of Pakistan to the International Criminal Court," the petition said, adding, "Pakistan's actions are contrary to the Geneva Convention and action must be taken against them."

Earlier, the apex court had sought the Centre's response on the plea of father of Kargil war hero Captain Kalia, -- who was captured by the Pakistan Army in 1999 and subjected to brutal torture -- seeking directions to the government to raise his son's case at the International Court of Justice at the Hague.

Kalia and five other soldiers of his patrolling team were captured alive on May 15, 1999. They were kept in captivity, tortured and eventually killed.