Click to play videoNew Delhi: The attack on Parliament on December 13, 2001 shook the nation but in the last eight years the trial, conviction and clemency pleas of people found guilty has shaken up politics too.
Both Houses were in session on December 13 when five terrorists breached security and entered the Parliament complex. All five were killed but nine security men lost their lives too.
Exactly a year later, a trial court awarded death penalty to Shaukat Hussain Guru, Mohammad Afzal and Delhi University lecturer S A R Geelani while sentencing Shaukat's wife Afsan Guru to five years imprisonment for their role in the conspiracy.
On appeal, the Delhi High Court in October 2003 upheld the death penalty of Afzal and Shaukat but acquitted Geelani & Afsan Guru. The Delhi police appealed against the acquittals
Two years later in August 2005, the Supreme Court came out with its verdict. While the acquittal of Geelani and Afsan was upheld, Shaukat Hussain's death sentence was reduced to 10 years imprisonment.
Mohammad Afzal's death sentence was however upheld once again. Afzal was accused of procuring arms and ammunition, purchasing the car used in the attack, providing terrorists accommodation in Delhi and "actively" participating in the conspiracy...
The Supreme Court stated: "The collective conscience of the society will be satisfied only if the death penalty is awarded to Afzal."
In January 2007 the Supreme Court put the curtain down on the Parliament attack case by dismissing the plea of Mohd Afzal, seeking review of his death sentence, saying 'there is no merit' in his curative petition.
The matter became a political issue with the BJP saying the Congress was being soft on terror by not hanging him. Parliament was adjourned several times over the matter as well.
Afzal's mercy petition is now with the President's office, which is the only institution that can pardon him.
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