Beant Singh killing case: Congress, BJP indicate mercy plea could save Balwant Singh Rajoana from gallows

NEW DELHI: With protests in Punjab over the proposed execution of Balwant Singh Rajoana, Congress and BJP today indicated that plea for clemency could be filed to prevent the punishment of the convict in the Beant Singh killing case.

"Whatever law allows in terms of petition, in terms of appeal, in terms of reviews, these are there for everybody..," Law Minister Salman Khurshid told reporters outside Parliament House.

Reacting to a question whether he thinks that politics is being played over the issue, Khurshid said, "Law of the land is there for everyone clearly to follow."

Echoing similar views, BJP spokesman Prakash Javadekar said, "It is the law, which decides and gives rights to all type of applications...so let the law take its own course."

"I think the law should take its own course," he told reporters.

The two major political parties's statement assumes significance in the wake of demand by Punjab government to grant clemency to Rajoana whose execution is slated for March 31.

Protesting against the proposed execution, radical Sikh outfits today observed a day-long bandh in Punjab.