MHA rejects Kasab plea

Oct 24, 2012 - Namrata Biji Ahuja |

Age Correspondent

The Centre has rejected the mercy plea of lone surviving 26/11 terrorist and death row convict Ajmal Amir Kasab and sent its recommendation to President Pranab Mukherjee for a final decision.

The Union home ministry, in its file sent to the President, has backed the decision of Maharashtra governor K. Sankara-narayan to reject Kasab’s mercy plea. Acting swiftly, the MHA sent the file to the President 15 days after receiving the governor’s recommendation and after hectic consultations with the Maharashtra government to overcome any bureaucratic hurdles that may impede an early decision. An MHA official said on Tuesday, “The home ministry has processed Kasab’s mercy petition and submitted it to the President for a decision.”
Kasab’s mercy plea has landed on Mr Mukherjee’s table at a time when there are nearly a dozen mercy pleas, including that of Parliament attack case convict Afzal Guru, that have been pending with the President’s office for many years. Though no time limit is prescribed for the President to clear a mercy petition under Article 72 of the Constitution, all eyes are now on how soon the government is able to execute Kasab’s death sentence, confirmed by the Supreme Court on August 29. Kasab was awarded capital punishment for waging war against the country which resulted in the killing of 166 persons and injuries to more than 300.

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