President of India cleared execution of two; including Prof. Devinderpal Singh Bhullar
By Parmjit Singh
Published: May 26, 2011
Prof. Devinder Pal Singh Bhullar
New Delhi (May 26, 2011): Whereas there is a global wave against death penality, India has decided to go ahead with it. After seven years, the clearance has been given for execution of two convicts that could start the process of clearing the long list of death row convicts.
Mrs. Pratibha Patil, President of India, has rejected the revew petitions filed under Article 72 (Indian Consitution) on behalf of Devinder Pal Singh Bhullar of Punjab and Mahendra Nath Das of Assam following the recommendations from the Union Home Ministry, sources in the Ministry said.
The Rashtrapati Bhavan declined to comment, says economics times media report. Bhullar was sentenced to death by a trial court in 2001, for plotting a bed on Maninderjeet Singh Bitta, former youth leader of the ruling Congress party. Though Bitta had escaped the bid but 9 others had died.
A couple of days ago, Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee through advocate K. T. S. Tulsi had urged in the Supreme Court that either his petition should be decided expeditiously or alternatively his death sentence be commuted.
The President has also rejected the mercy petition of Das who has been found guilty of murdering one Hara Kanta Das.
This is for the first time since 2004, when the go ahead has been given for the execution of Dhanjay Chatterjee, that the President has given the nod for any execution.
The decision is expected to spark strong criticism from Sikh circles as Prof. Bhullar’s case has many other related aspects also. Bhullar’s Father, uncle and Friend were killed by Punjab Police during their enforced disappearances. Punjab’s current Vigilance Cheif, Sumedh Saini, is considered to be accused for these murders but he, along with other accused has not faced any trial till date. Moreover Bhullar’s conviction also lacks strong basis. He was convicted solely on the basis of alleged confession made during police custody. Justice M. B. Shah, who was heading three judges bench of the apex court, had accquitted Prof. Bhullar. Justice Shah had rejected the confessional statement labelling it as bundle of lies and tailor made confession. But, other two judges while placing their full reliance on that statement, awarded death punishment to Prof. Bhullar.
In the wake of the declaration, Sikhs fought a pitch battle with the Indian state. During the course of struggle, many Sikhs lost their lives. Today, we pay homage to all those who embraced martyrdom for the cause. We also remember all those who have been languishing in jails since long especially Prof Davinder Pal Singh Bhullar, Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana, Bhai Jagtar Singh Hawara and Bhai Daljit Singh. We also pay our respect to each family and people who suffered during the struggle either in jails or at interrogation centres. We are thankful to all those who joined that struggle but could not sustain state’s onslaughts and left it half-way. However, we regret those who left the path to gain political mileage.
We realize that like the international community, Punjabi Hindus too have developed misgivings about the Sikh struggle to which we are always prepared to address their concerns.
Notwithstanding our numbers, after performing Ardas at Akal Takht we declare: According to Sikh Guru’s ideals and principles, each person has equal rights to live, move forward and protects his/her religious and fundamental freedoms. Khalistan is our lifeline. We are entering into the next phase of the struggle with a difference that is to address all questions related to the existence of Khalistan and allay all misgivings and notions through open dialogue and deliberations. This will be beginning of new phase for both pro and anti-Khalistan people and elements.