SC judge who rejected Yakub Memon's mercy plea gets threat letter

Justice Dipak Misra of the Supreme Court who headed a bench that rejected an eleventh-hour mercy plea by 1993 Mumbai blasts convict Yakub Memon has received an anonymous threat letter.

The letter was delivered at his residence in Tughlak Road area today. Security has been beefed up outside Misra's residence.

Confirming the threat letter, joint commissioner of Delhi Police (New Delhi range) M K Meena said a case has been registered, but refused to divulge further details.

Police sources said that the incident came to light on Tuesday when the letter was found at the gate of Justice Misra's residence by the security personnel. ''The security personnel of Misra immediately informed their security in-charge who in turn approached the police personnel at Tughlak Road police station. The security in-charge later lodged his complaint with the police,'' police sources added.

The threat comes on the back of warnings by Dawood aide and the main accused in the 1993 blast case Tiger Memon of consequences for the hanging of his brother, Yakub Memon, another key accused.

Delhi Police have now registered a case against unknown persons and have started an investigation.

According to TV channels, the letter had warned that Justice Misra will be targeted even if his security is tightened.

"Irrespective of the protection you may avail, we will eliminate you", the alleged terrorist wrote in the anonymous letter to Justice Dipak Misra, according to NDTV new channels.

After an unprecedented 90-minute hearing that started at 3.20 am in the wee hours of 30 July and ended a little before dawn, the three-judge bench headed by Justice Misra had delivered the verdict that sealed Memon's fate in less than four hours (See: Justice delayed, not denied: Yakub Memon hangs, finally).

(Also see : Pakistan-based terrorists getting support from Indian fugitives )