Shinde assures examining Punjab plea for clemency to Bhullar
Tuesday, 16/04/2013
http://punjabnewsline.com/news/Shinde-assures-examining-Punjab-CM_s-plea-for-clemency-to-Bhullar.html
NEW DELHI/ CHANDIGARH: Khalistani militant Devinder Pal Singh Bhullar, who is on death row, may have a ray of hope as Home Minister, Shushilkumar Shinde on Tuesday decided to examine Punjab government's mercy plea.
The announcement by home minister came a day after Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh seeking clemency for Devinderpal Bhullar.
CM Badal and his son and deputy Sukhbir Singh Badal had met PM Manmohan Singh on Monday seeking his intervention in the matter. They had submitted a memorandum in which they mentioned that it was not in the interest of the state and the nation to go ahead with the execution of Bhullar as it could disturb the hard-earned communal harmony in Punjab.
Shinde assured that he will consider the mercy petition by Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal in which the latter has mentioned that the state could face a law and order problem in the event of Bhullar's hanging.
"We will examine the demand of the Punjab chief minister," Shinde said, while interacting with the media persons here.
During the day, Shinde and minister of state for external affairs Preneet Kaur met Congress president Sonia Gandhi, leading to speculation that they discussed the issue in the meeting.
Shinde’s assurance come in the wake of pleas against execution of Bhullar given his psychiatric ailments. Bhullar has been undergoing treatment for his mental ailments for the past two years. The Supreme Court however held that the nature of his medical ailment does not come in way of the of execution.
Bhullar's mercy petition was rejected by Supreme Court on April 12, which has paved way for carrying out his execution. The verdict has however met with criticism from some quarters and the clamour for clemency to the man whose mental health is not said to be normal has only grown louder.
Official sources indicated that the Delhi government might therefore constitute a medical board to examine Bhullar’s mental health.
