Beant Singh assassination: Centre opposes commutation of Balwant Singh Rajoana’s death sentence
The Indian government has opposed a plea by death-row convict Balwant Singh Rajoana to commute his sentence for the 1995 assassination of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh. The Supreme Court has decided to hear the matter on its merits due to the prolonged delay in the President's decision on his mercy petition.
Why it matters
The case highlights the legal and political complexities surrounding death penalty commutations and the handling of mercy petitions in high-profile terrorism cases.
The Centre has opposed a plea by death-row convict Balwant Singh Rajoana seeking commutation of the death sentence awarded to him in the 1995 assassination of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh.
Rajoana, who has been in custody for more than 30 years, approached the Supreme Court over the delay in deciding a mercy petition that has been pending before the President since 2012.
“We have objection to what they are demanding. Considering the prevailing situation in the State [Punjab], it will not be conducive to take any decision,” Additional Solicitor General K.M. Nataraj, appearing for the Centre, told a Bench headed by Justice Vikram Nath.
In view of the Centre’s opposition to the plea, the Bench, also comprising Justices Sandeep Mehta and Aparesh Kumar Singh, said it would proceed to hear the matter on merits.
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