With questions being raised over the delay in clearing the mercy petition file of death row convict Afzal Guru, chief minister Sheila Dikshit on Monday said it took longer time to take a decision on the issue because of its sensitive nature.
Ms Dikshit also attributed the delay in clearing the Parliament attack convict’s file to the opinions given on it by two chief secretaries of her government raising the issue of law and order implications if the execution is carried out here. This newspaper had first reported that the government was concerned over the law and order situation if the execution was carried out. A reliable source in the city government confirmed that one of the two secretaries, who has already retired, had opposed carrying out the execution in the city.
The Delhi government last week sent its views on Afzal’s mercy petition to lieutenant-governor Tejendra Khanna saying it had no objection to the hanging but its implications on law-and-order need to be kept in mind. “I just wanted to clarify that we never had the intention to oppose the Supreme Court verdict (against Afzal). Afzal is in jail and he will continue to be in jail. The President of India will sign on the mercy petition and take a decision,” she added.
Meanwhile, lieutenant-governor Mr Khanna said on Monday that he was studying the file and it will be sent to home ministry soon.