Shinde was evasive on questions whether the Government

made it sure that the family was informed before carrying out the execution. "I have information that family has been communicated. The letter has been sent through speed post on February 7 night and the action was taken on Febuary nine," he said. Further asked as to whether it was necessary to depend on speedpost when other methods including a phone call or a telegram could have been used, Shinde did not answer this question and rather maintained that rules of jail manual were followed. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had said yesterday that he wished that the family could have been allowed to meet Afzal before he was taken to the gallows.