9th Feb.2013 , the day when collective conscience of the society was satisfied as ruled by an apex court in its judgement by taking Afzal Guru to the gallows. This ruling itself speaks volumes about the conviction and the punishment being political. Legal experts believe that Guru was not provided with a counsel of his choice and adequate legal assistance, as a result of which his entire trial was prejudicial and unfair. The court-appointed junior lawyer was not for defense of Guru but for assistance of the court. He did not visit his client even once in jail, not summoned any witnesses in Guru’s defense and did not cross-examine the prosecution witnesses.
Ironically, the Indian government went ahead with its premeditated plan of sending Guru to the gallows, despite the fact that a petition filed by his wife for repeal of his death penalty was pending in the Supreme Court. Moreover, he was given the punishment out of turn as judgment on death sentences of many other accused was to be taken before his. Guru was also denied the right of review after his mercy petition was rejected by the Indian president.
The Government of India did not stop here. It did not bother to inform the family members of the victim about the decision in advance so that they could meet and talk to him for one last time. And , rubbing salt into their wounds, they were not handed over his body, which was buried inside the jail, depriving the family of performing Guru’s last rites. Even the residence of the family members was put under siege to prevent people from expressing solidarity with them.
