The issue of bringing back Shaheed Udham Singh’s belonging from the United Kingdom may figure in the talks with British Prime Minister Theresa May during her visit in November to the country.
The Government of India is trying to resume its effort to bring back the belongings of the great martyr as the UK Government in 2004 had declined a similar request. The information was placed before Punjab and Haryana High Court during the hearing of a case concerning retrieving the belongings of martyr Udham Singh.
Appearing for Union of India before the Bench of Justice S S Saron and Justice lisa Gill, Addition Solicitor-General of India Satya Pal Jain hinted that the matter could be taken up with the British Prime Minister during her visit to India this time.
Jain told the Court that the matter was closed in 2004 when the UK Government declined a request by the Government of India to retrieve the belongings. The request was declined on the ground that the pistol, knife and diary of Shaheed Udham Singh were used in crime and could not be returned as per British Government policy.
He said that the Government of India wants to give the issue another try and an attempt could be made during the visit of British Prime Minister. The matter of bringing back belongings of Shaheed Udham Singh from UK was raised by Advocate H C Arora in a Public Interest litigation. He had sought directions to the State of Punjab and Union Ministry for External Affairs to bring back the belongings.
Taking up a note of the oral assertions made by the
Additional Solicitor General, High Court adjourned the matter for January 17, 2017.