Supreme Court Defers Balwant Singh Rajoana's Plea For Death Penalty Commutation By 6 Weeks

The Supreme Court on Friday deferred the hearing on the petition filed by death row convict Balwant Singh Rajoana seeking commutation of death penalty, after the Central Government requested the bench to await the decision of the President of India on his mercy petition.

The Solicitor General of India, Tushar Mehta, informed a bench headed by the Chief Justice of India that the government has started the process and that the President will take a decision on the mercy petition.

The SG mentioned that Balwant Singh was awarded death penalty for assassinating a Chief Minister of Punjab in 1995, possibly out of Khalistani sentiments. The SG urged the Court to adjourn the hearing "under the present circumstances"(seemingly hinting at the ongoing agitation by Punjab farmers against the Centre's farm laws).

"Government has started the process. The Hon'ble President will take the decision. I will request Mr. Rohatgi(petitioner's counsel) also to listen to my submission between the lines", the SG said at the outset when the matter was taken.

"The petitioner is accused of assassination of a Punjab Chief Minister, possibly due to Khalistan issue. Your lordship may await the President's decision", the SG added.

When the CJI asked if the SG can give a time-frame for the decision, he replied that he can only speak for the Government and not the President.

Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the petitioner, highlighted that his mercy petition had been pending for nearly nine years and submitted that the matter should not be adjourned beyond two weeks.

Ultimately, the bench, also comprising Justices AS Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian, adjourned the hearing by six weeks. On the last hearing date, January 25, the bench had said that no further time will be given for the Centre while adjourning the hearing for two weeks.  Earlier, the Court had asked the Centre to come out with a decision by the Republic Day.

Balwant Singh Rajoana was sentenced to death for the murder of former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh in a bomb explosion in Chandigarh on August 31, 1995.