Govt to examine clemency demand for Bhullar: Shinde

The government has decided to examine the demand for clemency for Khalistani terrorist Devenderpal Singh Bhullar, who is in the death row, Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said on Tuesday.

"We will examine the demand of the Punjab chief minister," he told media persons in New Delhi.

The decision came a day after Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal and his deputy Sukhbir Singh Badal approached Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the Home Minister to find a way out to stop Bhullar's execution on the ground of peace and harmony in the state.

Official sources hinted that the government may constitute a medical board to examine the health condition of Bhullar who is reportedly mentally sick.

In their representations to the Prime Minister and the Home Minister, the Badals highlighted the poor health of Bhullar, saying under mentally unstable condition, no one should be hanged.

They also cited the split Supreme Court judgement which confirmed the death penalty imposed on Bhullar and said even Germany, from where Bhullar was extradited, had opposed death sentence.

The Supreme Court had last week dismissed the plea for commutation of Bhullar's death sentence to life imprisonment.

The family of Bhullar had made the plea on the grounds that there has been "inordinate" delay in deciding his mercy plea by the President and that he is not mentally sound.