Authorities in Maharashtra on Wednesday began preparations for the execution of the lone death row convict in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case Yakub Memon at the Nagpur jail on Thursday morning, after the Supreme Court refused to quash the death warrant and Maharashtra Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao rejected his mercy petition.
Director General of Police Sanjeev Dayal, and Mumbai Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria, who is also the chief investigator of the 1993 case, held consultations with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on law and order issues. Security was beefed up across the State for the hanging which is likely to take place at 7 a.m.
“The Supreme Court has clearly held that the death warrant issued by the designated TADA Court in April 2015 is legal and valid,” Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam told reporters in Mumbai. “Therefore, the state machinery can proceed further on the basis of the death warrant. The Maharashtra governor has also rejected the mercy petition. So, I feel there is no legal impediment to proceeding according to the death warrant.”
Senior government sources said if his family demands, Yakub’s body could be handed over to them for burial. “If not, it will be handed over to the Mumbai police for final rites,” said a Minister. However, the government is apprehensive that a family burial in Mumbai could escalate communal tensions.
The Mumbai police have been put on high alert for Thursday’s execution. Police sources said all additional commissioners and deputy commissioners have been asked to be present at sensitive locations in the city and remain at their workplace for the next 24 hours. Leave of police personnel has been cancelled. The Mumbai police also held meetings with community leaders to ensure that law and order was not affected.
