Shaukat Hussain Guru, a convict in the 2001 Parliament attack case, was released from the Tihar Central Jail here on Wednesday on completion of his prison term.
Guru was set free almost nine months before the actual date of release on account of good conduct.
Shaukat's brother, Yasin Guru, a resident of Sopore in Kashmir, told The Hindu that Shaukat was staying with a relative at Azadpur Mandi in North Delhi. Yasin was to have flown into the capital on Thursday to bring his brother back home, but his trip was cancelled because of the heavy snowfall.
Shaukat is Mohammad Afzal's cousin. Afzal, who was sentenced to death, is now awaiting the President's decision on a clemency petition filed by his family.
In August 2005, the Supreme Court upheld the Delhi High Court's judgment, acquitting S.A. R. Geelani, a Delhi University college lecturer, while confirming the death sentence awarded to Afzal and modifying the death penalty imposed on Shaukat to 10-year rigorous imprisonment. Shaukat's wife Afsan Guru was acquitted of all charges.
In December 2002, the trial court awarded the death penalty to Afzal, Shaukat and Mr. Geelani, and sentenced Ms. Guru to a five-year imprisonment. On appeal, the High Court acquitted Mr. Geelani and Ms. Guru, but upheld the death penalty awarded to Afzal and Shaukat.
Shaukat, found guilty of concealing information, earlier filed a petition challenging his 10-year imprisonment. The plea was dismissed by the Supreme Court in May 2008.
On December 13, 2001, five armed men forced their way into the Parliament House premises and gunned down eight security personnel and a gardener. The terrorists were also killed in the ensuing gunfight.
