Chandigarh, November 25, 2024: The Supreme Court has adjourned the hearing on the mercy plea of Balwant Singh Rajoana, who was convicted in the 1995 murder of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh. The court stated that further consultations with multiple agencies are required before a decision can be made.
During today’s proceedings, Additional Solicitor General of the CBI, K.M. Nataraj, informed the bench that the current situation is not conducive for making a decision on the mercy petition at this time. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta represented the Central Government before the bench, which included Justices BR Gavai, Prashant Kumar Mishra, and KV Viswanathan.
The court acknowledged the sensitivity of the case and, after hearing the government’s side, decided to adjourn the hearing for four weeks, granting the central government more time to deliberate on the matter.
Rajoana’s lawyers have appealed to the court to convert his death sentence into life imprisonment, arguing that the prolonged wait for execution amounts to mental torture. On November 18, the Supreme Court had referred Rajoana’s mercy plea to the President of India, directing that the President’s office take up the matter and make a decision within two weeks. However, that timeline has now been extended.
It is also noteworthy that Balwant Singh Rajoana, who was granted a three-hour parole last week, attended the last prayer ceremony of his brother. During the ceremony, Rajoana expressed his hope for a swift resolution to his case, stating that he is awaiting the Supreme Court’s decision.
The hearing has now been postponed for four weeks, and further developments in the case are anticipated.
