Delhi University lecturer S A R Geelani finally walks free.
While the Supreme Court upheld the death sentence for Mohammed Afzal in the Parliament attack case and condoned the death sentence of Shaukat Hussain Guru, sentencing him to 10-years rigourous imprisonment, Geelani was acquitted alongwith Afsan Guru, wife of Shaukat.
The apex court said though there was no direct evidence to link him to the terrorists who attacked the Parliament on December 13, 2001, there was a spectre of suspicion on him as he seemed to rejoice when the attack was taking place.
The court also said the untruthful pleas raised by Geelani about his contacts with Shaukat and Afzal raised a needle of suspicion against him. However, it quickly added that suspicion alone was not sufficient to convict anybody without proper evidence.
However, addressing a press conference after the verdict was pronounced, Geelani termed the apex court's observation that his conduct after the incident had raised suspicions, as "unnecessary".
Charging Delhi police and intelligence agencies with framing him in the case, he said, "I do not think acquittal of an innocent man is a cause for celebration.
"I think it is a time for reflection on why I was framed and sentenced to death without evidence," Geelani said.