Chidambaram vs. Shah: The Afzal Guru Execution Controversy

Congress leader P Chidambaram accused Home Minister Amit Shah of lying regarding the delay in executing Afzal Guru. Shah claimed the delay occurred while Chidambaram was Home Minister. Chidambaram clarified that the delay was due to a pending mercy petition, ultimately rejected in February 2013.

P Chidambaram, a senior Congress leader, has accused Home Minister Amit Shah of distorting the truth about the delay in executing Afzal Guru, convicted for the Parliament attack. Shah had alleged that the execution was stalled under Chidambaram's tenure as Home Minister.

Responding to Shah's assertions made in the Rajya Sabha, Chidambaram clarified that the execution couldn't proceed while a mercy petition was pending, which was filed on Guru's behalf by his wife in October 2006.

Chidambaram highlighted that the mercy petition was rejected by the President on February 3, 2013, leading to Guru's hanging six days later. He emphasized that the execution timing was bound by legal procedures, not personal decisions.

(With inputs from agencies.)