CHANDIGARH: The Punjab and Haryana high court on Monday issued notice to the Centre on a plea filed by Davinderpal Singh Bhullar, a convict in 1993 Delhi bomb blasts, seeking his pre-mature release from the jail.
In his plea for release, Bhullar has argued that he has been denied the right to release despite the fact that he has completed more than 27 years of actual sentence, whereas a person is entitled to be released on completion of 20 years sentence.
Devender Pal Singh Bhullar, 57, a native of Dayalpura Bhaike, Bathinda, is currently confined in Central Jail Amritsar in connection with the case.
Justice Jasjit Singh Bedi of the HC has sought reply from the Delhi government through Union home ministry, Director General (prisons) Tihar Jail and the Superintendent, Central Jail Amritsar on the petition filed by Bhullar.
In his plea, Bhullar has sought directions to set-aside the order through which premature release was denied to him in violation of article 14 and 19 of the constitution. Further directions have also been sought that petitioner has become entitled to be released prematurely on usual terms and conditions as per Delhi prisons Rules 2018 after completion of 14 years actual sentence and 20 years total sentence.
"He has already completed more than 27 years of actual sentence, whereas as per rules he was required to undergo only 14 years actual sentence and 20 years sentence including remissions. His case for premature release has been deferred repeatedly without application of judicious mind in the most mechanical manner without any substantial reasons," the HC was informed.
The case was registered against Bhullar under TADA and other related laws on September 1993 in connection with the Delhi Bomb Blast case in which several persons had lost their lives.
On August 25, 2001, he was awarded the death sentence by the Delhi court. In March 2014, the Supreme Court had commuted his death sentence into life imprisonment.
In March this year, at least four members, the Delhi home secretary, law secretary, the district judge and a Delhi Police officer of the rank of joint commissioner — opposed the early release of Bhullar, in the sentence review board meeting of the Delhi government. The matter, however, has been now referred for legal opinion on the issue.
