Chandigarh – The state government has given a green signal to shift Prof. Devinder Pal Singh Bhullar from Delhi’s Tihar to Amritsar jail.
The government has said it had no objection to his shifting as it “does not anticipate any law and order problem in the state over the matter”.
Following a no objection certificate issued by the state’s Prison Department, the government has forwarded its clearance to the Delhi government.
Bhullar’s wife Navneet Kaur had sought his shifting to Amritsar jail citing the Jail Manual which has a provision that a convict can be shifted to a jail closer to his home if the state government concerned approves it. Sanjay Kumar, principal secretary, Jails, told The Tribune that the government had given its clearance to the case.
A Prison Department official said they had issued an NOC few days ago after studying the rules and ground situation with the help of the police, which said Bhullar’s shifting would not create any trouble.
“The NOC by the department was mandatory as per the prison rules and directions of the Supreme Court regarding shifting of a convict closer to his home,” he said. The official said Bhullar was not keeping well. “Bhullar is unable to recognise anyone. The law provides for the shifting of such a convict closer to his home,” he said.
All-India Anti-Terrorist Front president Maninderjeet Bitta had on Saturday opposed the move saying that it might disturb law and order in the state.
He had cited recent violence in Jammu over removing of a poster of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. Clashes also took place at the Golden Temple on the anniversary of Operation Bluestar. He also feared that Bhullar might mingle with other terrorists and tried to escape from the jail.
Bitta has also asked Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to reject the case. Kejriwal had written to the Punjab Chief Minister, seeking the state’s view on the matter. Prof. Bhullar was sentenced to death. His death penalty was commuted to life sentence by the Supreme Court.