New Delhi, Jan 22: The Supreme Court on Thursday issued notice to the Delhi government after agreeing to hear the curative petition filed by Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist Mohammad Arif against the death penalty awarded to him in the 2000 Red Fort attack case in which three Army jawans were killed.
A special bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Vikram Nath and J.K. Maheshwari took note of the submissions made by Arif’s counsel, who relied on subsequent apex court judgments delivered after the dismissal of his appeal and review petition. “Issue notice,” the Chief Justice said.
The top court had earlier dismissed Arif’s review plea on November 3, 2022. Arif, also known as Ashfaq, was awarded the death sentence by a trial court in October 2005, which was upheld by the Delhi High Court in September 2007. His challenge to the high court verdict was rejected by the Supreme Court in August 2011, affirming the death penalty.
A curative petition is the final legal remedy available to a convict after the apex court has dismissed both the appeal and the review petition.
According to the prosecution, on the night of December 22, 2000, terrorists entered the area inside the Red Fort where the 7 Rajputana Rifles unit of the Indian Army was stationed and opened fire, killing three jawans. (Agencies)
