New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday questioned why Balwant Singh Rajoana, convicted for the assassination of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh in 1995, has not been executed, even as the Centre described the crime as a “serious offence.” Rajoana has been in jail for 29 years, including over 15 years on death row.
During the hearing, Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, and N.V. Anjaria pressed Additional Solicitor General K.M. Nataraj on the prolonged delay. “Why did you not hang him till now? Who is to blame for that? At least, we have not stayed the execution,” the bench asked.
Rajoana’s plea seeks commutation of his death sentence to life imprisonment, citing delays in the decision on his mercy petition. Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing Rajoana, highlighted that no action has been taken on the petition and expressed concern over the convict’s mental and physical well-being, including uncertainty about solitary confinement.
Rohatgi clarified that Rajoana did not file the mercy petition himself; it was submitted in March 2012 by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee under Article 72 of the Constitution. The apex court noted that Rajoana is an Indian citizen and this is not an “India-Pakistan issue.”
The court has scheduled the matter for further hearing on October 15 and emphasized that it would not be adjourned at the Centre’s request. Previously, on January 20, the Supreme Court had directed the government to decide on Rajoana’s mercy plea. The Centre had referred to the sensitivity of the case and said the petition was under consideration.
Rajoana was sentenced to death by a special court in July 2007 for his role in the August 31, 1995, blast at the Chandigarh civil secretariat, which killed Beant Singh and 16 others. His fresh plea highlights his 28.8 years in jail, including over 15 years on death row, and requests directions for his release if commutation is granted.
