'Law will take its course regarding Afzal'

Gwalior (MP), Oct 29: Union Law Minister Hansraj Bharadwaj today said that the law would take its own course with regard to the proposed execution of Parliament attack convict Mohammad Afzal Guru.

''People are needlessly politicising and thereby sensationalising the issue. As per the Constitution, a convict enjoys the right to approach the President even after the Supreme Court has issued its judgement,'' he told journalists here.

Pointing out that Afzal did the same, the Minister added that the President then seeks the opinion of the state concerned, the Home Ministry and others before taking a decision.

When pressed for the Congress' opinion, he shot back, ''what has the Congress or the Bharatiya Janata Party got to do with this matter?'' Mr Bharadwaj dodged a question about parliamentarian Rahul Gandhi not being made a minister.

''A rural court system will soon be in place. I am conducting discussions with state governments and urged the Centre to allocate funds. That will be done within two months and the department will appoint 7,000 additional judges,'' he assured.

When asked about 'Gandhigiri', a form of protest popularised by a recent Bollywood film, the Minister said that he was a worshipper of Mahatma Gandhi's ideals and non-violence but rejected Gandhigiri.

UNI

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