Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Seeking clemency for Khalistani terrorist Devinder Pal Singh Bhullar,Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal Monday sought Prime Minister Manmohan Singhs immediate intervention.
We asked the PM to find a way so that he can be granted clemency, said Badal after meeting Singh. Citing the law and order situation in Punjab,he said,I have the experience of how much the country has lost due to incorrect decisions. In the interest of the state,in the interest of the country,we are asking to stop it.
A memorandum submitted by Badal to Singh,on behalf of SAD,said: The process must be started for finding ways to ensure the ends of justice do not clash with the long-term interests of the nation and with the objectives and operation of statesman-like approach in such sensitive matters. In the national interest and in the interest of peace and communal harmony in the country in general and in Punjab in particular,the death penalty in this case may be commuted to life imprisonment.
It added: While we are committed to maintaining peace and harmony in the state,the governments have no control over the emotional and psychological damage such a case can inflict on collective social psyche. This damage must be avoided at all costs.
It said that in matters relating to death penalty,there is legal and constitutional requirement for putting the case beyond all reasonable doubt. This was clearly not done in the case of Bhullar. The presiding judge of the bench of the Supreme Court that decided the appeal in this case had recommended acquittal of Bhullar and delivered a strong note of dissent.
The party also referred to reports that the doctor attending to Bhullar had expressed serious concern over his health. Legal and constitutional propriety demanded that the death penalty against Bhullar should not be executed because of the condition of his health. The long years spent by Bhullar in jail and the condition of his health is well known to all, it said.
Badal and Deputy CM also met Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde separately.
