Afzal Guru’s Wife Seeks Permission to Perform Last Rites in Dignified Manner

The wife of 2001 Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, who was executed on Saturday morning, has written a letter to Jail Director General Vimla Mehra seeking permission to perform his last rites in a dignified manner.

Guru's wife, Tabassum in her letter stated, "We are writing you to please permit the family members to give Afzal Guru a proper dignified last rites in accordance with the religious traditions," IANS reported.

"If you could inform us when the family members can perform their 'Namaaz-e-Janaza', we would appreciate it," she added.

The letter drafted by Guru's lawyer ND Pancholi also stated:"We do not wish to make it a political issue in an atmosphere which is already volatile but the family members, as citizens of India, have a right, which must be respected."

The claim from the family came after the mortal remains of Guru was buried in the premises of Tihar Jail where he was executed at 8 am.

The family had earlier on Saturday said that the government had lied by claiming that the family was informed of Guru's execution.

"We met him (Guru) at Tihar Jail on Raksha Bandan. My wife and Ghalib (Guru's son) were accompanying me. If the government would have informed us, we would have atleast gone and met him one last time,'' The Indian Express quoted Guru's father as saying. ''The government is lying. They did not tell us anything," he added.

Afzal Guru, who was a key conspirator in the 2001 parliament attack, was awarded capital punishment by Special POTA Court in 2002. The Delhi High Court confirmed the sentence in 2003 which was upheld by Supreme court in 2005. His mercy plea was rejected by President Pranab Mukherjee on Feb 3 and was hanged on Saturday amid high secrecy.