Shinde was addressing his monthly press conference today where he was asked about the “tearing hurry” to hang Afzal Guru when in similar cases, death row convicts Davinder Pal Singh Bhullar and Rajiv Gandhi assassins, who have had their mercy petitions rejected, were given an option to approach the courts (the execution has been stayed by courts in both cases).

The Home Minister replied: “After rejection (of mercy petition), their cases are before the Supreme Court. These cases are still under consideration of the judiciary and are different from this (Guru’s) case.”

When reporters persisted that Bhullar and Rajiv Gandhi’s assassins were allowed time to petition against the President’s decision, Shinde said: “The President signs and the MHA initiates the procedure. Even in the other cases, the files were sent to the states concerned. There they (convicts) went for appeal.”

The Home Minister refuted allegations that the haste in hanging Guru was the outcome of political opportunism, saying: “It is not a political decision. The decision had been taken according to law.”

Defending secrecy in executions and fulfilling the mandatory requirement of informing the family, Shinde said: “A Speed Post was sent on February 7. Everything was carried out under the rules. I have speed post record…”

On why Guru’s family was not informed telephonically, Shinde said: “A Home Minister can only sign papers. It is left to the jail authorities”. He said he would consider a request of Guru’s family to conduct prayers at his burial site inside the Tihar Jail.