Death row convict Shabnam files fresh mercy plea

Lucknow, February 21

Death row convict Shabnam, who was awarded the death sentence for killing seven members of her family in April 2008, has sent a fresh mercy petition to Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and President of India Ram Nath Kovind.

According to Anand Kumar, Director General (prison department and reform services), Shabnam had also approached the Uttar Pradesh Governor earlier for pardon, but Patel had rejected her petition.

Sources said two lawyers had met Shabnam in the Rampur jail on Friday and convinced her to send a mercy petition to the UP Governor.

Confirming that a second mercy petition has been sent to the Governor and the President of India, Shabnam’s lawyer Shreya Rastogi, in a press note, claimed “news reports should correct the factual and legal positions regarding the remaining remedies available to Shabnam”. She said, “Shabnam has several constitutional remedies that remain to be exercised. These include the right to challenge the rejection of her mercy petition before the Allahabad HC and the Supreme Court on various grounds. She also has the right to file a curative petition in the SC.” — IANS