The Supreme Court has directed the Centre to furnish details of 18 mercy pleas pending disposal before the President. This includes details on plea of Parliament attack death convict Afzal Guru.

The apex court felt that the role of the state was perhaps advisory and the final verdict is of the President.

The court passed directions while dealing with the appeal filed by death convict Devender Pal Singh Bhullar, challenging the undue delay in disposal of his mercy petition by the President.