The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Centre to file an affidavit in response to a plea filed by Balwant Singh Rajoana, a convict in the assassination case of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh. The bench, comprising Justices B.R. Gavai and K.V. Viswanathan, issued the order while hearing Rajoana's petition seeking commutation of his death sentence to life imprisonment.
Background of the Case
Balwant Singh Rajoana was convicted for his role in the 1995 assassination of Beant Singh, who was killed in a bomb blast outside the Punjab Civil Secretariat in Chandigarh. Rajoana was sentenced to death in 2007, but the execution has been stayed pending various legal proceedings. The case has seen multiple twists over the years, including a 2012 mercy petition to the President, which remains pending.
Rajoana's Plea
In his current plea, Rajoana argues that his death sentence should be commuted on grounds of delay in execution and the prolonged incarceration he has faced. He has also cited his mental and physical health conditions. The Supreme Court had earlier sought the Centre's response on the matter, and the latest hearing saw the court reiterating its request for an affidavit.
Centre's Response
The Centre, represented by the Ministry of Home Affairs, has been asked to clarify its stand on the commutation plea. The court has given the government four weeks to file its affidavit. The next hearing is scheduled after the affidavit is submitted.
The case has significant political and legal implications, given Beant Singh's stature and the sensitive nature of the assassination. The Supreme Court's decision will be closely watched by legal experts and the public alike.
