Death row convict Yakub Memon, the lone 1993 Mumbai serial blasts convict, was hanged to death today after his last ditch attempts to get a reprieve failed early this morning in the Supreme Court. Memon was hanged shortly before 7 am at the Central Jail here, top official sources said. Here is a timeline of the last-ditch efforts made by condemned prisoner Yakub Memon to save himself:
11 AM (July 29) — A 14-page mercy petition written by Yakub Memon is submitted to President Pranab Mukherjee’s office.
4 PM (July 29) — The President sends the mercy petition to Home ministry for necessary action.
8.30 PM — Union Home Minister Rajnath drives to Rashtrapati Bhawan and conveys Government’s decision rejecting Yakub Memon’s mercy petition.
9.15 PM — Union Home Secretary L C Goyal and Solicitor General Ranjit Kumar arrive at Rashtrapati Bhawan.
10.45 PM — President rejects mercy petition of Memon.
10.45 PM — noted lawyers Prashant Bushan and Anand Grover reach residence of Chief Justice of India Justice H L Dattu with a fresh petition seeking stay of death warrant.
11:30 PM — Other judges arrive at Justice Dattu’s residence.
01.00 AM (July 30) — Scene shifts to residence of senior Supreme Court judge Justice Dipak Misra’s residence.
01.30 AM — Lawyers reach residence of Justice Misra.
01.35 AM — Three judges – Justices Mishra, Prafulla Chandra Pant, Amitava Roy – agree to meet at Supreme Court at 2.30 AM.
02.10 AM – A constable of Nagpur Central Jail hands over a letter to Yakub Memon’s brother at a hotel in Nagpur.
02.30 AM – Judges arrive in the apex court. Hearing deferred as delay in arrival of Attorney General Mukul Rohtagi.
03.20 AM – Hearing on the review petition begins.
04.50 AM – Court rejects the petition.
