People who do not show any mercy or compassion for others cannot plead for mercy on the ground that they have been waiting on death row for years. In a far-reaching judgement, the Supreme Court has ruled that Khalistani terrorist Devinder Singh Bhullar, responsible for the death of nine people in 1993, cannot have his death sentenced commuted to life despite the delay. This means that Rajiv Gandhi's killers and those in Veerappan's gang willm under normal circumstances, also head to the gallows. A landmark judgement in the Supreme Court is opposed by Human Rights activists. We debate a basic point: Why should those on the death row be granted mercy in any case?
