For Dhananjoy, it finally sinks in

Dhananjoy did not have his meal today afternoon, refusing everything except tea, said sources in Alipore Central Jail, where he waits on Death Row. Jail staff and the doctor monitoring his health, however, persuaded him to have some Glucon D.

At night, he relented and ate8212;from a special diet prepared by the jail doctor, which entitles him to a slightly better menu than the one for other prisoners.

8216;8216;All these days, Dhananjoy looked unfazed at the twists and turns of events, with his fate swinging between life and death. He behaved normally, always believing that God will stop his execution. He pleaded not guilty,8217;8217; said R P Bhattacharjee, Additional Inspector General of Prisons South, who met Dhananjoy at his cell early today.

But this afternoon, he was a different man, quiet and gloomy, not uttering a single word. His favourite possession, a small transistor radio, was also switched off after he heard about the Supreme Court decision in New Delhi.

A five-judge Constitution bench had rejected the petition filed by his brother Bikash Chatterjee, challenging the August 4 order of President A P J Abdul Kalam, rejecting Dhananjoy8217;s mercy plea.

Not convinced that the President had rejected the clemency appeal 8216;8216;without application of mind and that too arbitrarily,8217;8217; the bench termed the plea as 8216;8216;wholly devoid of merit and liable to be dismissed8217;8217;.

8216;8216;It is evident that he has finally given up hope,8217;8217; said Bhattacharjee.

When asked about reports that Dhananjoy was keen to donate his eyes and kidneys, Bhattacharjee said he 8216;8216;was not aware of any such move8217;8217;.

Meanwhile, West Bengal Jail Minister Biswanath Chowdhury and Judicial Minister Nisith Adhikari told reporters that the 8216;8216;process of Dhananjoy8217;s execution is on.8217;8217; After the Supreme Court decision, there is no legal hurdle at the moment, Adhikari added.

The ministers said a PIL has been filed in the Calcutta High Court, seeking mercy for Dhananjoy, with the hearing slated for tomorrow. But they refused to comment if there was any chance of the execution being postponed again.

Meanwhile, a sense of outrage prevailed in Dhananjoy8217;s village of Kaludihi in Bankura district, about 250 km from Kolkata, after his petition was rejected.

Residents of the village and its neighbouring settlements have decided to observe August 15 as a 8216;8216;protest day8217;8217; to condemn the 8216;8216;cruelty8217;8217; with which the State pursued Dhananjoy8217;s death.

Sources in the local administration said people in some pockets might even resort to a hunger strike that day to express solidarity with Dhananjoy8217;s family.

The district superintendent has informed jail authorities that none of his family members will turn up to witness the hanging and receive the body. In case no one turns up, the State will cremate the body, officials said.