Will Balwant Rajoana get relief from hanging? Supreme Court postpones hearing for 4 weeks, seeks response from Center

New Delhi: On the question of delay in disposal of the mercy petition of Balwant Singh Rajoana, who was sentenced to death for the murder of former Punjab CM Beant Singh, the Central Government told the Supreme Court that the matter is sensitive. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Central Government, said that there is sensitivity involved in the matter and hence many agencies have to be contacted. The Supreme Court has postponed the hearing of the case for four weeks.

Raoana was sentenced to death

On November 18, the Supreme Court had asked the Secretary to the President to present the mercy petition of Balwant Singh Rajoana before the President and requested that this mercy petition be considered within two weeks. Rajoana has been awarded death sentence in the murder case of former Punjab CM Beant Singh and had filed a mercy petition before the President. Raoana has filed an application in the Supreme Court on the basis of delay in disposal of the mercy petition, pleading for reduction of sentence and release. The Supreme Court bench led by Justice BR Gavai had said that if the mercy petition is not considered within the stipulated time, then it will consider the request for relief on the application. On Monday, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said in the Supreme Court that the case is being reviewed by the government. The matter is sensitive and more inputs are needed in this matter. Advice has to be taken from some agency. Then the Supreme Court said that it would hear the case after four weeks.

Petitioner wants to convert death sentence to life imprisonment

The petitioner has filed an application in the Supreme Court under Article 32 asking that his/her death sentence be commuted to life imprisonment and also argued that he/she should be released. Also said that there has been a lot of delay in taking the decision on the mercy petition. The mercy petition is pending before the President for 1 year and 4 months. The petitioner has also said in his/her application that a mercy petition was filed on his/her behalf but it is pending. In this way his/her right to life has been violated.