Prof. Devinder Pal Singh Bhullar
Chandigarh (March 2, 2010): To promote the cause of seeking clemency for the victims of Death Penalty the Sikh Students Federation shall conduct a signature campaign at Punjab University Chandigarh on 4th of March, 2010. In a press statement issued by Jagdeep Singh, Joint Secretary of the organization, it is said that 139 countries around the globe have either abolished the death penalty in law or in practice. Recently Keniya has stayed the execution of about 3000 prisoners, who were awarded death penalty. India has not executed any prisoner for death penalty after 2004 and before that the last execution took place in1997. The track record shows that India is fast moving towards a state which is not in favor of death penalty. “However till India decides to do away with the death penalty, it’s essential to draw attention to the prisoners who are facing death penalty in this country which are totaling in number in relation to whom mercy petitions are pending before the President Of India.” said SSF President, Parmjeet Singh Gazi.
He further informed that this campaign is started by Lawyers for Human Rights International, an organization promoting the cause of Human Rights, and SSF is conducting the campaign in various educational institutions, and Mata Upkar Kaur, mother of Prof. Devinderpal Singh Bhullar shall attend Thusday’s Campaign at PU, Chandigarh.
Currently SSF is perusing the cases of three persons who are behind the bars since a long time and are awaiting execution; these include Prof. Devinderpal Singh Bhullar (Tihar Jail Delhi), Dharampal (Ambala Jail, Haryana) and Piara Singh (Amritsar Jail, Punjab). “Death punishment is awarded to Bhullar, who has served about 15 years in prison, by ignoring many legal and evidentiary facts, therefore inherent flaws of the judgment forms basis for demanding clemency for Bhullar.” said PS Gazi. Similarly, prolonged detention, inhuman conditions of life in prison and health factor forms basis for demanding clemency for Piara Singh and Dharampal, he added.