New Delhi, India (April 17, 2013): Two days back the Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal met Indian Prime Minister and Home Minister of India to urge clemency for Prof. Davinderpal Singh Bhullar.
As per media reports the Central government of India has decided to examine the demand for clemency for Prof. Bhullar who is in the death row.
Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde reportedly said on April 16 : “We will examine the demand of the Punjab Chief Minister”.
According to a News report by Zee News: “[o]fficial sources hinted that the government may constitute a medical board to examine the health condition of Bhullar who is reportedly mentally sick”.
In their representations to the Prime Minister and the Home Minister, the Badals highlighted the poor health of Bhullar, saying under mentally unstable condition, no one should be hanged.
They also cited the split Supreme Court judgement which confirmed the death penalty imposed on Bhullar and said even Germany, from where Bhullar was extradited, had opposed death sentence.
The Supreme Court had last week dismissed the plea for commutation of Bhullar’s death sentence to life imprisonment. The family of Bhullar had made the plea on the grounds that there has been “inordinate” delay in deciding his mercy plea by the President. Health reasons were also pleaded before the SCI, that dismissed all the arguments while upholding the death sentence.