Advani against delay in Afzal`s execution

Mumbai, Nov 12: The Leader of the Opposition L K Advani on Sunday criticized the delay in carrying out the death sentence of Mohd Afzal Guru who has been sentenced to death in the Parliament attack case.

“I fail to understand the delay. They have increased my security. But what needs to be done immediately is to carry out the court’s orders (on Afzal’s death sentence)”, the senior BJP leader told reporters.

Advani was speaking after the valedictory function of a workshop for ministers from BJP-ruled states at Keshav Shrushti, Bhayander in neighbouring Thane district.

Expressing his dissatisfaction over “so many NGOs involved in efforts to put off the hanging”, Advani said: “When Indira Gandhi was assassinated, there were not as many NGOs pleading for mercy to her killers”.

“It is a different matter to discus the merits and demerits of capital punishment but when the apex court has given a ruling, it has to be respected,” Advani said.

The former Deputy Prime Minister recalled that the killers of Army Chief General Arunkumar Vaidya were executed as per the court order immediately after the ruling.

“The government should make its stance on the Afzal hanging clear before the president,” he said.