Shiv Sena slams challengers of Memon's execution, says 'country runs according to law'

The Shiv Sena on Thursday said that people who were against 1993 Mumbai terror blast convict Yakub Memon's execution should know that the country runs only according to the law.

"The message is good, especially to Pakistan operated terrorists; the innocent people who were killed in the attack have got justice. Some people were for his mercy petition. Such people, who think that the country is running according to their will, have learnt that the country only runs by the law. It is because of such people that terrorists like Kasab and Memon are able to launch such attacks," said Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut.

Memon's body, who was hanged at the Nagpur Central jail today morning, will be handed over to his family.

His second mercy plea before President Pranab Mukherjee was rejected late last night.

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In an unprecedented move, a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court presided over a fresh hearing of the case throughout the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday before dismissing the final appeal for mercy by Yakub, the only person to be sentenced to death for the series of bombings in Mumbai.

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While Yakub Memon's lawyer Anand Grover had sought a reprieve of 14 days to challenge rejection of mercy plea by the President, Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi maintained that if mercy petitions are filed over and over again, death warrants will never be executed.

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The apex court had on Wednesday also dismissed the curative petition of Yakub, saying proper procedure was followed in disposing of Yakub's curative petition.

Memon was convicted for being the "driving spirit" behind the blasts that killed at least 257 people at separate landmarks in the financial capital, including the Bombay Stock Exchange and two crowded markets.