Balwant Singh Rajoana, convicted in the assassination case of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh and currently lodged in Patiala Central Jail, has written another letter to Akal Takht Jathedar Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, urging intervention regarding his pending mercy petition.
In his letter, Rajoana appealed to the Jathedar to direct the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to withdraw the mercy petition submitted to the President of India, which seeks commutation of his death sentence into life imprisonment. He requested that the SGPC be instructed to withdraw the petition within 10 days.
Rajoana stated that he has been imprisoned for the past 31 years and has spent 19 years awaiting a final decision on his death sentence. He alleged that the government and administrative authorities have deliberately delayed taking a decision on his petition, calling the prolonged delay a violation of human rights.
He also raised questions over the role of the Central Government, claiming that despite repeated interventions and deadlines set by the Supreme Court, the Centre has failed to reach a decision in the matter.
Clarifying his stand, Rajoana said he was not seeking any form of mercy or clemency and, in accordance with Sikh principles, was prepared to face any outcome while preserving his self-respect.
It is noteworthy that the SGPC had earlier filed a mercy petition before the President seeking relief against Rajoana’s death sentence. However, the matter has remained pending with the Central Government for a long time, leading to ongoing debate and dissatisfaction within sections of the Sikh community.
