SC stays execution of 1993 terror case convict Bhullar

The court asked Delhi-based Institute off Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences to examine Bhullar and submit report on his state of mental health

The Supreme Court today stayed the execution of Khalistani terrorist Devinderpal Singh Bhullar and agreed to review its judgement by which it had rejected the 1993 Delhi bomb blast convict's plea to commute his death sentence to life term.

A four-judge bench headed by Chief Justice P Sathasivam issued notice to the Centre and Delhi government on a curative petition filed by Bhullar's wife Navneet Kaur.

The bench also comprising justices R M Lodha, H L Dattu and S J Mukhopadhaya directed the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS), where Bhullar is being treated, to file a medical report within a week on the condition of the death convict who is alleged to be suffering from a mental illness.

"We would examine whether our judgement (pertaining to commutation of death sentence to life term on the ground of delay in deciding the mercy plea) is applicable or not in this case," the bench said, adding "we also want to know his present condition".

"We direct Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences to send to us a report on condition of Devinderpal Singh Bhullar within a week," the bench said.

The plea of Bhullar's wife for commutation of death sentence assumes significance in view of the apex court's January 21 verdict holding that inordinate and inexplicable delay by government in deciding mercy plea of death row convicts can be a ground for commuting their sentence.

Bhullar's wife has filed the petition for relook against the apex court verdict which rejected her plea to commute his death sentence to life imprisonment on grounds of delay on the part of the government in deciding his mercy plea.

Bhullar was convicted and awarded death penalty for triggering a bomb blast in New Delhi in September 1993, which killed nine persons and injured 25 others, including then Youth Congress president M S Bitta.