New Delhi: The Central Government has formally opposed the petition filed by death-row convict Balwant Singh Rajoana seeking commutation of his capital sentence to life imprisonment. Rajoana was convicted for his role in the 1995 assassination of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh.
Appearing before a Supreme Court bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and Aparesh Kumar Singh, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) KM Nataraj raised objections to Rajoana’s demand, submitting that in view of the prevailing security and law-and-order situation in Punjab, taking any decision in favour of clemency would not be conducive.
Following the Centre’s opposition, the three-judge bench observed that since the government is contesting the plea to commute the sentence, the court will hear the matter on merits. The top court adjourned the proceedings and listed the case for October 28 after ASG Nataraj requested additional time to prepare the Centre’s response.
Rajoana’s counsel, Diksha Rai, submitted that they intend to rely on established Supreme Court precedents concerning prolonged delays in deciding mercy petitions as grounds for commutation under Article 21. Rajoana has remained incarcerated for nearly three decades, with a mercy plea submitted on his behalf remaining undecided since 2012.
