NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court today directed the Superintendent of Tihar Central Jail to hand over by March 31 the personal belongings of Bhai Satwant Singh and Bhai Kehar Singh, hanged to death in the Indira Gandhi assassination case, to their relatives after they fulfilled two conditions.
The direction was issued by a Division Bence comprising Chief Justice R.S. Pathak, Mr. Justice Ranganath Misra and Mr. Justice M.N Venkatachaliah while disposing of a civil petition.
Jail Authorities Refusal
The petitioners, S.Tarlok Singh, father of Bhai Satwant Singh and S.Rajinder Singh Son of Bhai Kehar Singh, had approached the court for a direction that they are handed over the personal effects of the two executed prisoners, They Said in their prisoners, they said in their petition that the jail authorities had refused to hand these over to them.
Appearing for the Delhi Administration G. Ramaswamy submitted that the release of the personal belongings of Bhai Satwant Singh and Bhai Kehar Singh at this Stage might give rise to public disturbance and in view of that prohibitory orders under Section 144, Cr.P.C. have been clamped in the Capital.
Mr. Ramaswamy said that apprehensions regarding threat to public order and tranquility would cease to exist on the expiry of two month from now.
Exact list secret Mr. Justice Pathak, Mr Justice Misra and Mr. Justice Venkat achaliah, however dismissed the contention of Ramaswamy that it was necessary for the claimants to obtain succession certificate before the personal belongings could be handed over.
The exact list of the belongings underorder of public gatherings of more than four people is banned. Were only shown to the court by Mr. Ranaswamy.
Article extracted from this publication >> February 17, 1989
