It won't be appropriate to revisit the issue: Congress on Afzal Guru case

NEW DELHI: Congress today refused to be drawn into the issue of return of mortal remains of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, a demand iterated by party MP Mani Shankar Aiyar and Jammu and Kashmir's ruling PDP.

"The hanging of Afzal Guru was culmination of a legal process. It has been carried out after taking into account all concerns and point of view. It will not be appropriate to revisit the issue," Congress spokesman Ajoy Kumar said at the AICC briefing here.

Besides, he said, Guru was convicted by the highest court and his execution was the culmination of the judicial process.

Kumar was asked about Congress MP Mani Shankar Aiyar's remarks that the mortal remains of Guru be returned "to put this entire matter at rest".

"I have long held a view that there was no adequate evidence to convict Afzal Guru of direct involvement in the assassination of human beings. The Supreme Court does not share my view. I have said it earlier and I am saying it now. It is not my party's view...," Aiyar had said.

Jammu and Kashmir's ruling PDP had yesterday demanded that the mortal remains of Guru be returned to his family, a day after assuming power in the state in alliance with BJP.

Eight PDP MLAs had issued a statement, saying the party "promises to follow vigorously" the issue of return of the mortal remains of Guru, who was hanged on February 9, 2013 inside Tihar Jail.

"PDP stands by its demand for return of his (Guru's) mortal remains, and the party promises to follow vigorously for the return of the mortal remains," the PDP statement said.

"PDP has always maintained that Guru's hanging was travesty of justice and constitutional requirements and processes were not followed in hanging him out of turn," it added.