SGPC files mercy plea for Bhullar
Sunday, 21/04/2013
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20130421/punjab.htm#4
Amritsar : A delegation of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) today filed a clemency petition with President Pranab Mukherjee, seeking pardon for Devinder Pal Singh Bhullar whose plea to commute his death sentence was recently turned down by the Supreme Court.
Comprising among others SGPC junior vice-president Kewal Singh Badal, SGPC secretary Dalmegh Singh and executive member RS Mehta, the delegation filed the petition in the office concerned of the Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi.
The SGPC has contended that Bhullar had already spent around 20 years in jail, of which he was on death row for 10 years. It also stated that over 300 witnesses gave their testimony in the court, but “none of them identified Bhullar in connection with the Delhi blasts”. The SGPC said he had been convicted merely “on the basis of his confessional statement, which was unfair”. Moreover, it was a “split” verdict, it added.
Supporters take out march
Activists of Sikh Students Federation (Mehta), led by its district chief Amarbir Singh Dhot, on Saturday took out a peace march in support of clemency for Bhullar. The march started from the Jahajgarh area and culminated at the Akal Takht after passing through key areas of the city. Later, the activists performed 'ardaas' at the Akal Takht for the early release of Bhullar.
