The Supreme Court Today (Nov 4th) adjourned the hearing in a Writ Petition filed by Balwant Singh Rajoana, convicted for the 1995 assassination of Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh, seeking to commute his death sentence to life imprisonment. Rajoana, who has been on death row for over 17 years and in jail for 28, argues that an “inordinate delay” in the decision on his mercy petition has subjected him to prolonged mental trauma and uncertainty, making his death sentence untenable. The Bench of Justice BR Gavai, Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra, and Justice KV Viswanathan sought the Punjab Government’s response in the writ petition and adjourned the matter for hearing on November 18.
The Supreme Court will hear Balwant Singh Rajoana’s petition on November 4 to reduce his death sentence for the 1995 assassination of Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh to life imprisonment. Rajoana claims prolonged delays in his mercy plea ruling violate his right to life and cause significant mental distress.
