A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Delhi High Court seeking directions to remove the graves of executed terrorists Mohammad Afzal Guru and Mohammad Maqbool Bhatt from inside Tihar Jail premises. Both were awarded the death penalty and executed in the prison, Guru in February 2013 and Bhatt in 1984.
The petition, filed by Vishwa Vedic Sanatan Sangh, contends that the continued existence of these graves inside a state-controlled prison is “illegal, unconstitutional, and against public interest.” It claims the graves have turned Tihar Jail into a site of “radical pilgrimage” where extremist elements gather to venerate convicted terrorists.
“This not only undermines national security and public order but also sanctifies terrorism in direct contravention of the principles of secularism and rule of law under the Constitution of India,” the plea stated.
The petition argues that the presence of the graves violates provisions of the Delhi Prisons Rules, 2018, which mandate that the disposal of bodies of executed prisoners be conducted in a manner preventing glorification, ensuring prison discipline, and safeguarding public order.
It cited state practice in the cases of executed terrorists such as Ajmal Kasab and Yakub Memon, where mortal remains were disposed of with strict measures to avoid glorification. The petition urged the court to direct the authorities to relocate the remains to a secret and undisclosed location in line with those precedents.
According to the plea, both Bhatt and Guru acted under extremist jihadi ideology and orchestrated acts of terrorism that gravely threatened India’s sovereignty and security. The petitioner has asked for urgent judicial intervention to ensure Tihar Jail is not allowed to become a shrine for extremist glorification.
The Delhi High Court is expected to hear the matter in due course.
