Don't make 'political rhetoric' in Yakub's support: BJP

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday said there should be no political rhetoric in support of 1993 Mumbai blasts convict Yakub Memon, as it will hurt the ones who were victimized.

"We should respect the decision of Supreme Court. We should not make political rhetoric in his support because it will hurt the hundreds of people who were victimized," BJP spokesperson G.V.L. Narasimha Rao said.

The Supreme Court earlier rejected Yakub Memon's petition on his death warrant, paving the way for his execution tomorrow.

He is expected to be hanged inside the Nagpur jail at 7 a.m. tomorrow.

The apex court had earlier dismissed the curative petition of Yakub. A three-judge bench comprising Justices Dipak Misra, Prafulla C. Pant and Amitava Roy said proper procedure was followed in disposing of Yakub's curative petition.

Yakub had earlier today reportedly filed a fresh mercy plea with President Pranab Mukherjee, who had rejected it last year.

Chief Justice of India H.L. Dattu had constituted a larger three-judge bench after a two-judge bench of Justices A.R. Dave and Kurian Joseph yesterday gave a split verdict on Memon's plea. While Justice Dave dismissed his plea without staying the death warrant, Justice Kurian differed and favoured a stay.