Afzal Guru was sentenced to death on Dec 18, 2002, by a trial court, which the Delhi High Court upheld on Oct 29,2003. His appeal was rejected by the Supreme Court on Aug 4, 2005. His mercy plea is pending with the president.
Human rights activists and liberal intellectuals say he should not be hanged, arguing that, unlike Kasab, he was not present at the scene of the crime and evidence against him was circumstantial.
According to jail authorities, Afzal Guru, in his 40s, spends most of his time either alone or with his books.
"There is a huge pile of books inside his ward. He has a radio, which airs only two stations. He occasionally listens to music but does not interact much with anybody," another jail officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, told IANS.
