August 15
INDIA:
Hangman breaks down after Dhananjoy's execution
Dhananjoy Chatterjee was hanged to death on Saturday for the rape and
murder, on March 5, 1990, of 14-year-old Hetal Parekh.
Rapist and murderer Dhananjoy Chatterjee was hanged to death early on
Saturday inside the high-security Alipore Central Jail - the 55th
execution by hanging carried out in the country after Independence. The
hanging took place on time and without any hitch amidst unprecedented
security measures that put both the electronic and print media off limits.
For hangman Nata Mullick, however, it was little short of traumatic. The
official hangman of the West Bengal government, who pulled the lever of
the gallows for the 25th and last time of his career, broke down
immediately after the execution. "This is my last hanging," said
83-year-old Nata, a 3rd generation hangman in his family. He said he was
touched by Dhananjoy's composure till the last minute.
"Ami nirdosh, aamake ora mere phelche (I am innocent, but they are killing
me)," Dhananjoy said. The poor man kept pleading innocence, Nata recounted
at his residence where he was brought in a stretcher after drinking too
much to deal with his emotions. According to an unofficial report nearly a
dozen people witnessed the hanging though no one was allowed to approach
the prison gate.
Dhananjoy, 42, convicted in 1991 for the rape and murder of schoolgirl
Hetal Parekh, managed to avoid the hangman's noose for 13 years, following
a series of legal appeals and clemency petitions.
Dhananjoy Chatterjee's last wish was to be served sweets and curd before
he took the long walk to the gallows early on Saturday.
He also pleaded for a government job for a member of his family, but
outside of Kolkata.
"He wanted to have sweets and curd and we offered him that," said IGP
(Prisons) Joydev Chakraborty.
However, the convict's eyes, which he wanted to donate, could not be
preserved owing to legal wrangles. Also, to avoid possible trouble, his
body was whisked away from the prison through a secret gate to the
Keoratala ghat where it was cremated by a voluntary organisation.
"Dhananjoy bathed and offered prayers inside his cell. He was given a new
shirt and pyjamas as per his wish, which he wore to the gallows," the IGP
said.
According to hangman Nata, Dhananjoy offered little resistance and even
blessed Nata, his son and grandson when they sought to be forgiven for
hanging him. It was only after looking at the rope approaching the
platform that he appeared little nervous, Nata said.
Protests and vigils
Meanwhile, human rights organisation Manab Adhikar Surakha Manch (MASUM)
and students from Bishop's College held candle-lit vigils about an hour
prior to the execution to press for a last-minute scrapping of the death
penalty, alleging that it was "state sponsored murder."
Armed with candles and placards that read "Stop State Sponsored Murder"
members from the organisation stood near the barricades, about 100 metres
from the jail and sang We Shall Overcome. Volunteers from Bishop's College
also held placards against capital punishment.
(source: Deccan Herald)
