New Delhi: The Centre today said the Supreme Court that it has no problem with commutation of death sentence of Khalistani terrorist Devinderpal Singh Bhullar to life term and the petition in this regard has to be allowed in view of the court’s verdict that delay in deciding mercy pleas can be a ground for such relief.
This is a case which has to be allowed because the mercy petition of the convict was decided after a delay of eight years,” Attorney General G.E. Vahanvati told the bench headed by Chief Justice P. Sathasivam which said that a short order will be pronounced on March 31.
The Attorney General also said that he was making the submissions to this effect as the Centre’s petition challenging the January 21 judgment, in which it was held that inordinate delay by government in deciding mercy plea of death row convicts can be a ground for commuting their sentence, has been dismissed.
At the outset, the bench, also comprising justices R.M. Lodha, H.L. Dattu and S.J. Mukhopadhaya, wanted to know about the health condition of Bhullar and perused the February 8 medical report of the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS).
It had issued notice to the Centre and Delhi government on a curative petition and had also directed IHBAS, where Bhullar is being treated, to file a medical report on the condition of the death row convict who is alleged to be suffering from mental illness.
The plea of Bhullar’s wife for commutation of death sentence assumes significance in view of the apex court’s January 21 verdict holding that inordinate and inexplicable delay by government in deciding mercy plea of death row convicts can be a ground for commuting their sentence.
Bureau Report
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