New Delhi, February 20
The Supreme Court today stayed the execution of Jaish-e-Mohammad militant Mohammad Afzal in the Parliament attack case. With this, the apex court has stayed the execution of both the condemned prisoners who stormed the symbol of Indian democracy.
Afzal had been given the death penalty by the Delhi High Court.
While passing the stay order, the apex court issued a notice to the Delhi Government on his petition challenging the order of conviction.
A Bench comprising Mr Justice Ashok Bhan and Mr Justice H.K. Sema issued the notice on Afzal’s petition and tagged it along with the petitions filed by the Delhi Government and another condemned prisoner Shaukat Hussain Guru. The court adjourned hearing on all matters by four weeks.
The execution of both the condemned prisoners in Parliament attack case has been stayed till the disposal of the appeal. The court had on January 19 stayed the execution of Shaukat Hussain Guru on his petition challenging his conviction.
The court on January 19 had issued notices to Delhi University lecturer S.A.R. Geelani and Afsan Guru on a petition filed by the Delhi Police challenging the high court order acquitting them of all charges in the case.
The police in its appeal said the high court had erred in acquitting Geelani who was sentenced to death by the trial court for his role in the conspiracy by militants to storm the symbol of Indian democracy on December 13, 2001.
