Chandigarh:
Convicted for murdering a 16-year-old for ransom, a couple in the Patiala Jail has moved a plea before the Punjab and Haryana High Court asking for conjugal rights.
Jasvir Singh had been given the death sentence while his wife Sonia had been given life, for kidnapping and murdering Harry Verma for ransom at Hoshiarpur in 2005.
Both lodged in separate wings of the jail, now want a common cell so that they can have a child before Jasvir is hanged to death.
The High Court has appointed an amicus curiae to assist the court arrive at a decision. If the appeal is accepted, it could set a precedent.
"The right to procreate survives in incarceration also. Even if the person has been sentenced to death, his rights remain," said Gursharan Kaur, counsel for Jasvir and Sonia.
"Why do they want to have a child? They have destroyed my family. They have killed my son. Now they are worried about their family. Didn't they think at that time when they kidnapped and killed my young boy? Didn't they think about our family?" questioned Ravi Verma, father of Harry Verma.
Conjugal rights to jail inmates are allowed in some countries, but this is a rare case. The request for conjugal rights by this couple has initiated a debate outside the court as well.