Bhullar denied relief: SAD blames Kejriwal and Mann govts; AAP says 6 of 7 board members BJP nominees

The Shiromani Akali Dal accused the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government of rejecting the plea of Bhullar, a charge rubbished by the Punjab AAP.

1993 Delhi bomb blast convict Davinder Pal Singh Bhullar’s plea for release rejected for seventh time

Davinder Pal Singh Bhullar. (File Photo)

A blame-game erupted in Punjab Tuesday after the Sentence Review Board (SRB) of New Delhi’s Tihar Jail rejected an application for the premature release from jail of Davinder Pal Singh Bhullar, a convict in the 1993 Delhi bomb blast case, for the seventh consecutive time. It is also the first time that the board, which has Delhi jails Minister as member, has rejected Bhullar’s plea after the Aam Aadmi Party formed government in Punjab.

The Shiromani Akali Dal accused the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government of rejecting the plea of Bhullar, a charge rubbished by the Punjab AAP.

Bhullar was convicted in connection with the killing of nine people and injuring 31 others in a blast outside the Youth Congress headquarters in Delhi. He was arrested after deportation from Germany.

Must Read | Explained: Why demands for Bhullar’s release have come up this election season in Punjab

In Tihar jail since 1995, Bhullar was awarded death penalty by a designated TADA court in August 2001 but his capital punishment was commuted to life sentence in 2014. Meanwhile, after being diagnosed with depression, he was shifted to a hospital in Delhi in 2012. He was shifted to an Amritsar hospital in 2015 based on the family’s plea and transferred to the Amritsar Central Jail. Since 2016, the Punjab government has allowed him to come out on parole. Bhullar has undergone an actual sentence of more than 25 years and availed parole for more than three years.

As per the the recommendations of the SRB, which met on December 21, 2023 — and which were uploaded on Delhi’s prison department Monday — 46 cases were considered for permanent release. It allowed the release of 16 prisoners while rejecting the applications of 33 others, including that of Bhullar.

Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal accused the AAP governments in Delhi and Punjab of conspiring to reject Bhullar’s plea.

“Shocking heinous crime against humanity by Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and his puppet (Punjab Chief Minister) Bhagwant Mann. By teaming up to reject the premature release plea of Prof Davinder Pal Singh Bhullar, they have both sprinkled salt on the wounds of the Sikh Sangat,” Badal said on X.

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Badal condemned the manner in which “the human rights of Prof Bhullar are being violated by keeping him in incarceration for around 29 years despite his precarious health condition”. He also appealed to the Panth “to unite and formulate a joint strategy to secure justice in the case”.

Party leader and former minister Bikram Singh Majithia too blamed the Delhi government and demanded that the reasons for rejecting it be made public. “The Punjabis have a right to know why the plea had been kept pending for the last five years and why it had been rejected now This amounts to violating the human rights of Bhullar,” Majithia said.

Punjab AAP’s chief spokesperson Malvinder Singh Kang, meanwhile, lashed out at the SAD leaders for telling “lies” and “an attempt to create unrest in Punjab” as “Badals want to grab power at any cost.”

He said the SRB comprised 7 members, including Delhi jails minister Kailash Gehlot, while six belong to the BJP, a former ally of the SAD. Referring to the minutes of the board meeting, Kang claimed that it was only the Delhi minister who supported Bhullar’s release. All other six members voted against Bhullar’s premature release, he said and pointed out that it was rejected with the majority of 6:1 “influenced by members reporting to Lieutenant General of Delhi”.

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“Setting the record straight, the lone voice of Gehlot ardently advocated for Bhullar’s early release, citing grave physical and mental deterioration,” said Kang.

The AAP leader said that Gehlot cited the no objection certificate issued by police in Amritsar, which is Bhullar’s home district “but dissenting board members raised concerns that his release may jeopardise the nation’s sovereignty.”

Bhullar’s counsel Jaspal Singh Manjhpur said that despite being the chairman of the SRB, Gehlot could not get the decision in favour of the Sikh prisoner’s release. “He should have resigned as the chairman. Also, all others in the board were not BJP nominees. There was a nominee of the Sessions Judge, another of Social Welfare Department of Delhi government. There was DIG (Jails). They can say the Joint Commissioner of Police was from Centre. But they cannot exonerate themselves from this completely,” Manjhpur said.

Kang, meanwhile, said the people of Punjab will never buy “lies” of Majithia. “They know the SAD’s reality too well now. Everyone knows that Akali Dal has never done anything for the ‘panth’, Sikhs and Punjab, they always do things for their personal interests. So, the SAD’s attempt to gain sympathy here will fail miserably,” Kang said.

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The Centre had in September 2019 recommended special remission to eight Sikh prisoners, including Bhullar, to mark the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev.

Bhullar’s application for release was rejected twice in 2018, once in 2019, thrice in 2020, and deferred once in 2022.

Kamaldeep Singh Brar

Kamaldeep Singh Brar is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express, primarily covering Amritsar and the Majha region of Punjab. He is one of the publication's key reporters for stories involving the Akal Takht, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), and the sensitive socio-political issues of the border districts. Core Beats & Specializations Religious & Panthic Affairs: He has deep expertise in the internal workings of the Akal Takht and SGPC, frequently reporting on religious sentences (Tankhah), Panthic politics, and the influence of Sikh institutions. National Security & Crime: His reporting covers cross-border drug smuggling, drone activities from Pakistan, and the activities of radical groups. Regional Politics: He is the primary correspondent for the Majha belt, covering elections and political shifts in Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Gurdaspur. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His work in late 2025 has been centered on judicial developments, local body elections, and religious controversies: 1. Religious Politics & Akal Takht "Akal Takht pronounces religious sentences against former Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh" (Dec 8, 2025): Covering the historic decision to hold the former Jathedar guilty for granting a pardon to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in 2015. "YouTube suspends SGPC’s channel for a week over video on 1984 Army action" (Nov 20, 2025): Reporting on the digital friction between global tech platforms and Sikh religious bodies. "As AAP govt grants Amritsar holy tag, a look at its fraught demand" (Nov 28, 2025): An analytical piece on the long-standing demand for declaring Amritsar a "holy city" and its political implications. 2. Crime & National Security "Mostly Khalistanis on Amritpal’s hit list: Punjab govt to High Court" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on the state government's claims regarding jailed MP Amritpal Singh orchestrating activity from prison. "Punjab man with links to Pakistan’s ISI handlers killed in encounter" (Nov 20, 2025): Detailing a police operation in Amritsar involving "newly refurbished" firearms likely sent from across the border. "15 schools in Amritsar get bomb threat emails; police launch probe" (Dec 12, 2025): Covering the panic and police response to mass threats against educational institutions. 3. Political Analysis & Elections "AAP wins 12 of 15 zones in SAD stronghold Majitha" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant shift in the 2025 rural elections where the Akali Dal lost its grip on a traditional fortress. "Tarn Taran bypoll: woman faces threats after complaining to CM Mann about drug menace" (Nov 9, 2025): A ground report on the personal risks faced by citizens speaking out against the illegal drug trade in border villages. "AAP wins Tarn Taran bypoll, but SAD finds silver lining" (Nov 14, 2025): Analyzing the 2025 assembly by-election results and the surprising performance of Independents backed by radical factions. 4. Human Interest "Two couples and a baby: Punjab drug addiction tragedy has new victims" (Nov 20, 2025): A tragic investigative piece about parents selling an infant to fund their addiction. "Kashmiri women artisans debut at Amritsar’s PITEX" (Dec 8, 2025): A feature on financial independence initiatives for rural women at the Punjab International Trade Expo. Signature Beat Kamaldeep is known for his nuanced understanding of border dynamics. His reporting often highlights the "drug crisis in the underprivileged localities" (like Muradpur in Tarn Taran, Nov 9, 2025), providing a voice to marginalized communities affected by addiction and administrative neglect. X (Twitter): @kamalsbrar ... Read More

Kanchan Vasdev

Kanchan Vasdev is a Senior Assistant Editor in The Indian Express’ Punjab bureau. She is a highly experienced journalist with 22 years of expertise covering high-stakes politics, governance, and social issues in Northern India. Professional Background Role: Primary reporter covering the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), government policies, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership in the state. Experience: She previously worked with The Tribune and has played a key role in launching various city editions. Special Projects: Abandoned Brides: Authored a monograph on brides abandoned by NRIs as part of the Prabha Dutt Memorial Fellowship. Environment: Worked as a Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) fellow, focusing on the pollution levels in the Satluj river. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reporting focuses on the legislative strategies and political maneuvers of the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government: 1. Legislative & Governance Standoffs "Punjab govt advances special Assembly session to pass resolution against VB-G RAM G Bill" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the state's move to block the Centre's "Viksit Bharat" mission, which the state claims will undermine MGNREGA. "Punjab govt doubles down on special sessions, sixth in January" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing the AAP government's use of special sessions as a legislative tool amid tensions with the Governor. "Punjab asks 'VIP teachers' working near Chandigarh to go back to border districts" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on CM Mann's move to end the practice of influential teachers avoiding postings in remote areas. 2. Political Analysis & Rural Polls "Punjab rural polls: Why Akalis are likened to dinosaurs in Punjab" (Dec 19, 2025): Analyzing CM Bhagwant Mann's rhetoric against the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) following local body elections. "AAP claims win in 78% Punjab zila parishads as counting continues" (Dec 18, 2025): Breaking down the results of the 2025 rural elections. "Rahul Gandhi and Sidhu alike, says Bhagwant Mann" (Dec 13, 2025): Covering the CM's critique of the Congress leadership. 3. Law Enforcement & Bureaucracy "Suspended Punjab IPS officer Ravjot Kaur Grewal awaits reinstatement" (Dec 10, 2025): Investigative reporting on the bureaucratic red tape involving the Election Commission and the state government. "Punjab declines to give parole to Amritpal Singh" (Nov 27, 2025): Detailing the state government's refusal to grant parole to the radical preacher and sitting MP. 4. Welfare & Economy "Punjab government's plan to add more freebies to 'atta-dal' scheme hits funds roadblock" (Dec 4, 2024): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing the state's flagship food security program. "Mann leads Punjab delegation to Japan and South Korea for investor outreach" (Dec 2, 2025). Signature Beat Kanchan Vasdev is known for her insider access to Punjab's political executive. Her writing provides deep insights into how state policies are formulated and the friction points between the state government and central authorities. Her dual expertise in environment and law allows her to report on complex issues like the "Farmhouse Policy" (Dec 18, 2025) and river pollution with a unique policy-oriented lens. X (Twitter): @kanchan99 ... Read More

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