It may just be a matter of time before Khalistani terrorist Devenderpal Singh Bhullar, presently on death row, secures remission from President. On Wednesday, the Government informed the Supreme Court that his request for clemency was actively being considered by the Ministry of Home Affairs following the decision by l-G on January 6, 2014. The court posted the matter for March 10 as a decision by the President in this regard is likely to be taken within such time.
Attorney General GE Vahanvati, who appeared for Centre and Delhi Government, informed the court that based on his poor mental condition, the l-G forwarded to the Centre his recommendation accepting the mercy petition of Bhullar. His wife, Navneet Kaur, had moved the mercy plea on April 13 last year, a day after his petition for commutation on ground of delay to consider his mercy plea got dismissed by the Supreme Court.
Hearing his curative petition against the above decision, a Bench comprising Chief Justice P Sathasivam, Justices RM lodha, Hl Dattu and SJ Mukhopadhaya was of the view that in the light of the medical report produced by the Institute of Human Behaviour and Applied Sciences (IHBAS), where he is currently lodged, a reconsideration on part of the Government was necessary.
AG said, “The process has begun. Rest assured, there is no death sentence executed against him in the meantime.” But the bench was of the view that in such a condition, decision must be taken without wasting time. “Every day’s delay in a case such as this is torture.” Senior advocate KTS Tulsi, who appeared for Bhullar, supported the bench’s concern. The Court urged AG to consider the matter as urgently as possible at the highest level.