Union home minister Sushilkumar Shinde, speaking in reference to the Punjab CM’s appeal to the Prime Minister to do something to commute the death sentence of terrorist Devinderpal Singh Bhullar, on Tuesday said the government would “examine the demand of the Punjab CM”.
Sources in the MHA indicated that the government is exploring the possibility of constituting a medical board to examine Bhullar’s health condition. Bhullar is reportedly suffering from a mental disorder. This is being considered after the Punjab CM and his deputy CM, Sukhbir Badal, had met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Mr Shinde on Monday seeking clemency for Bhullar while highlighting Bhullar’s poor health and saying anyone in a mentally unstable condition should not be hanged.
The home minister’s meeting with Mrs Gandhi also came hours after a high-level meeting in the home ministry where Bhullar’s issue is learnt to have been discussed. Apart from the political ramifications surrounding Bhullar’s impending execution, the MHA is concerned about the security implications of such a move. The Punjab government has already spelt out its apprehension over Bhullar’s hanging adversely affecting peace in the state.
Meanwhile, AICC spokesperson Rashid Alvi, when asked about the party’s view on clemency for Bhullar, said, “We have nothing specific on the issue. Our stand is clear, that the law should take its own course.” He, however, countered the suggestion that there would be a public order problem in Punjab if Bhullar was executed. “Law and order is a state subject and the government of the day in Punjab has to ensure peace and harmony,” he said.
The security agencies, meanwhile, are keeping a close watch to avoid any disturbance by radical elements in Punjab. The intelligence apparatus is also alert to the possibility of inimical forces across the border trying to use the opportunity to spread unrest.
The Supreme Court had last week dismissed the plea for commutation of Bhullar’s death sentence to life imprisonment. Bhullar’s family had made the plea on the grounds that there had been an “inordinate” delay in deciding his mercy plea by the President and that Bhullar was not mentally sound.