Dikshit Says Home Ministry, Lt-Guv to Decide Afzal Guru Mercy Plea
Playing safe on the mercy plea of the Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, the Delhi government has said that though it believes that no mercy should be shown to the plotter, the final decision rests with the Lt Governor (L-G) of Delhi and the Union Home Ministry, said media reports.
“The Supreme Court’s order to hang him will prevail. On the mercy petition filed by the wife of Afzal Guru, the final decision rests with the Home Ministry and the L-G,” chief minister Sheila Dikshit was quoted as saying.
Her statement comes two days after the Delhi government sent Afzal’s file back to the L-G.
The Delhi government has reiterated its earlier stand in its reply that Afzal committed an act of terror and merits death penalty, reports said quoting sources.
In last four years, the Home Ministry had sent 16 reminders to the state government to move the file.
After lying in limbo for long, the file and fate of Afzal Guru is caught in a hectic to-and-fro between the Delhi government and the Lt Governor’s office.
The Congress government is keen on sending the message that it’s not dragging its feet on the Afzal issue and by doing so, it hopes to make a dent in the Opposition’s campaign against it, said reports quoting sources.
(Based on internet reports)
