The Supreme Court has granted four more weeks to the Centre to respond to Balwant Singh Rajoana's petition seeking commutation of his death sentence. Rajoana, a member of the militant Sikh separatist group Babbar Khalsa, was convicted in the assassination case of Punjab CM Beant Singh in 1995. The delay in deciding his mercy petition, which has been pending before the President for 1 year and 4 months, was deemed "shocking" by his lawyer. The court has adjourned the matter, with the Centre seeking more time to verify the status of the plea.
Balwant Singh Rajoana's Death Sentence Case: A Timeline and FAQs
Background:
Balwant Singh Rajoana, a member of the Babbar Khalsa militant group, was convicted and sentenced to death for the assassination of Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh in 1995. Rajoana's execution was first scheduled for March 31, 2012, but was stayed due to protests and petitions seeking his release.
Supreme Court's Recent Ruling:
On September 14, 2022, the Supreme Court granted four more weeks to the Central government to respond to Rajoana's petition seeking commutation of his death sentence. Rajoana's lawyer had argued that the delay in deciding his mercy petition, which had been pending before the President for over a year, was "shocking."
FAQs:
1. Who is Balwant Singh Rajoana?
Balwant Singh Rajoana is a Sikh separatist militant convicted for the assassination of Beant Singh, the then-Chief Minister of Punjab, in 1995.
2. What is his current status?
Rajoana is currently on death row in Patiala Central Jail, awaiting execution. His death sentence has been stayed due to pending legal challenges.
3. What is he convicted for?
Rajoana was convicted and sentenced to death for his role in the assassination of Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh in 1995.
4. What is the status of his mercy petition?
Rajoana's mercy petition has been pending before the President of India for over a year and four months. The Supreme Court has deemed the delay in deciding the petition as "shocking."
5. What is the latest development in his case?
The Supreme Court has granted the Central government four more weeks to respond to Rajoana's petition seeking commutation of his death sentence. The court has adjourned the matter until a later date.
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