Chandigarh: A hearing was held in the Supreme Court on Wednesday (May 3) on the demand for commutation of the death sentence of Balwant Singh Rajoana, convicted of the murder of former Punjab CM Beant Singh, to life imprisonment. In this case, Balwant Singh Rajoana has not got any relief from the top court. The Supreme Court has said that the Home Ministry should take a quick decision on Rajoana's sentence. Rajoana has been in jail for nearly 27 years. His mercy petition is also pending with the Central Government for more than 10 years. The government has not yet taken a decision on that.
Actually, the bench of Justice BR Gavai, Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sanjay Karol heard the petition of Balwant Singh Rajoana. During the hearing, the apex court has asked the concerned authorities to take a decision. The court has also said that the decision on the punishment should be taken when they find it necessary. In 1995, the then CM of Punjab, Beant Singh was killed by Rajoana. After this, the court sentenced him to death. At present, the apex court has sent the matter to the Ministry of Home Affairs for hearing. The court has said that the Ministry of Home Affairs should take a quick decision on the mercy petition filed by Rajoana. In fact, it was said on behalf of the Central Government that the IB report says that there is a possibility of deteriorating law and order in Punjab by providing relief to Balwant Singh Rajoana.
Balwant Singh is locked in the dungeon of the jail for the last 27 years. He has spent a long time in jail. Based on this, Rajoana said that the death sentence awarded to him should be changed. Instead, he should be sentenced to life imprisonment. Balwant Singh Rajoana has also appealed to the President in this regard. However, his mercy petition is pending with the President since March 2013.
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