Cong accuses SAD of doublespeak

Terming the ruling SAD’s appeal for clemency to Devinder Pal Singh Bhullar “a farce” and “double standards”, Punjab Congress on Sunday accused it of shedding “crocodile tears” for Bhullar. “Parkash Singh Badal and Sukhbir Badal should clear their stand on the issue,” said Congress leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira.

The core committee of Akali Dal, a day before, had described as “deeply painful, unfortunate and worrying” the rejection by the Supreme Court of Bhullar's petition for commuting his death sentence to life imprisonment. Khaira, however, claimed that while defending Director General of Police (DGP) Sumedh Singh Saini in a case in the Supreme Court in 2009, the Badal Government had submitted an affidavit: "Such hardcore and experienced criminals (Bhullar), who have a well-organised international support base...is a matter of concern.”