India on Monday formally requested Pakistan to release convicted Indian spy Sarabjit Singh on humanitarian grounds, Times of India reported.

According to the report, the Indian External Affairs Ministry requested Pakistan government to release Sarabjit into Indian custody so that he may be provided medical care.

“In view of the recent tragic events and present circumstances, we once again appeal to the government of Pakistan to take a sympathetic and humanitarian view of this case, and release Sarabjit Singh.”

The Ministry also urged Pakistani authorities to ensure protection of other Indians currently in Pakistani jails. “It is the responsibility of the government of Pakistan to ensure the safety and security of all Indian prisoners in their custody.”

Sarabjit Singh, who was sentenced to death 16 years ago on espionage charges, was rushed to the Jinnah Hospital on Friday with multiple wounds, including a severe head injury, after his fellow inmates hit him with bricks, following an altercation.

“Sarabjit’s condition is critical with multiple wounds to his head, abdomen, jaws and other body parts, and he has been put on ventilator,” a doctor in Jinnah Hospital told AFP. “He is fighting for his life in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and the next 24 hours are critical,” the doctor said, adding that the head injury was ‘quite severe.