US EditionDelhi HC dismisses plea to remove graves of Afzal Guru and Maqbool Bhatt from Tihar
The Delhi High Court allowed withdrawal of the PIL, noting the removal of graves is a government decision and no law currently prohibits burial in prison, court said.
- On September 24, 2025, the Delhi High Court refused to entertain a PIL by Vishwa Vedic Sanatan Sangh and Jitendra Singh seeking removal of Mohammad Afzal Guru's and Mohammad Maqbool Bhatt's graves from Tihar Central Jail and allowed withdrawal, recording it as dismissed as withdrawn.
- Citing prison rules and past cases, the petitioners argued the graves inside Tihar Central Jail are illegal, unconstitutional, and threaten public order, seeking relocation to prevent 'glorification of terrorism' citing Ajmal Kasab and Yakub Memon.
- The bench pointed out that no law prohibits burial inside jail premises and demanded empirical evidence of pilgrimage before ordering action, while stressing last rites require solemn handling.
- The bench said removal decisions rest with the competent government authority and judicial interference lacks basis without specific legislation, adding jail authorities could be directed to stop pilgrim visits if evidence supports it.
- Historically, Maqbool Bhat was executed on February 11, 1984, and Afzal Guru on February 9, 2013, both at Tihar, while activists including Nandita Haksar and Arundhati Roy contested Guru's trial flaws.
18 Articles
18 Articles
Delhi HC dismisses PIL seeking removal of Afzal Guru and Maqbool Bhat’s graves from Tihar jail
The Delhi High Court dismissed a petition seeking the removal of graves of Afzal Guru and Maqbool Bhat from Tihar jail. The court questioned the basis for the claims and emphasized the need for evidence on the alleged pilgrimage practices at the site.
HC refuses to entertain PIL to remove grave of Afzal Guru from Tihar Jail premises
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday refused to entertain a plea seeking directions to remove the graves of terrorists Mohammad Afzal Guru and Mohammad Maqbool Bhatt from Tihar Jail premises here. The two terrorists were sentenced to death and executed in Tihar Jail. Sensing the high court’s indication, the petitioners’ counsel urged the court to allow him to withdraw the petition and re-file it with certain data. A bench of Chief Justic…
Delhi HC asks basis of plea on removal of Afzal Guru, Maqbool Bhatt graves, petition withdrawn
The petition claimed the burial sites had turned Tihar into a ‘radical pilgrimage spot’ for extremist elements. The petition was with withdrawn after the court asked for proof.
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