Afzal Guru showed no signs of remorse: Tihar officials

After an immediate reaction of being "shaken up" on getting the news of his impending execution last evening, Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru was "remorseless" when taken to the gallows Saturday morning.

Senior Tihar Jail officials who oversaw the entire preparation for hanging of 43-year-old Guru said he was "very peaceful" and "calm" during the final moments and did not show any remorse.

"He was very peaceful and calm during the final moments. He looked very composed. But he looked a little shaken when he was told about the execution last evening," a top Tihar Jail official said.

Guru, who spent over 10 years on death row in the prison, was lodged in a 16-feet long and 12-feet wide death row cell in Jail No 3 and it was around 20 metres away from the spot he was hanged at 8 am in the high security prison in a top secret operation.

The official said it was a sleepless night for Guru who was told to get ready at around 5 am. He was offered tea but he did not have it. He offered Namaz immediately after getting up and was taken to the gallows at 7.30 am.

Sources said Guru was hanged for 15 minutes. He had sought a copy of Quran last evening after he was told about the impending execution.

Director General of Prisons Vimla Mehra said Guru appeared "remorseless" in his final hours. A doctor carried out a health check up of Guru before he was taken to gallows. Mehra said normal procedure was followed in the hanging.

Sources said though he was offered dal, sabji and roti in dinner last evening, he did not have it.

The jail authorities refused to share any details about whether he had any last wish or about any final words.

... contd.

ALSO READ

Sajjan Kumar acquittal: Sikh protesters march towards PM's residence

Uma Bharti confident of BJP's victory in MP Assembly elections

Markandeya Katju appeals for release of Sanaullah

Rail traffic hit due to protests over Sajjan's acquittal