Bhullar case: Upset Bitta to 'seek permission' from Sonia for self-immolation

New Delhi: Upset over Supreme Court commuting the death sentence of Khalistani terrorist Devinderpal Singh Bhullar, former Youth Congress chief M S Bitta on Monday said that he would seek permission from party president Sonia Gandhi and the court to commit self-immolation.

The All-India-Anti-Terrorist Front (AIATF) chief, who was targeted of the 1993 bomb blast for which Bhullar was handed death sentence, said the verdict was a defeat of people fighting against terrorism.

"After apex court ruling, I don't want to live anymore as we have been today defeated by 'political terrorism', which exists in the Congress Party."

"I will ask Sonia Gandhi to allow me to immolate myself as terrorism has won today and people, who are fighting against terrorism have been defeated," he said.

Bitta also said that he would also seek permission for self-immolation from the court. Asked whether he would file a review petition in the Supreme Court, he replied in the negative.

He, however, said he would move court on why his security had been withdrawn two days before the attack on him in 1993 and would also raise the issue as to why "Rajeev Gandhi's security had been withdrawn".

Bhullar was initially awarded the death penalty for triggering a bomb blast in New Delhi on September 1993, in which nine persons were killed and 25 others injured, including Bitta, who was the then Youth Congress president. The Supreme Court today commuted his the death sentence to life term on the ground of delay in deciding his mercy plea and his medical condition.