The Supreme Court has mandated a strict deadline for the Central Government to conclude its decision on the mercy petition of Balwant Singh Rajoana, a death row inmate convicted in the 1995 assassination of then Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh. The Court has given the Centre until March 18 to make a determination, emphasizing the urgency of the matter.
During the hearing, Justice B R Gavai, leading the bench which also includes Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and K V Viswanathan, addressed Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, stating, “We are granting you time by way of a last chance. Either you take a decision or otherwise we will hear it on merits.” This directive comes in response to Rajoana’s plea, which seeks to commute his death sentence to a life term due to the “inordinate delay” in handling his mercy petition.
Solicitor General Mehta acknowledged the complexity and sensitivity of the case, initially requesting an additional six weeks to deliberate. However, the court has set a firm deadline, underscoring the necessity for a swift resolution to prevent further delay.
Rajoana’s legal counsel highlighted that he has already served approximately 29 years in prison, arguing that the lengthy duration, particularly under the shadow of a death sentence, warrants reconsideration of his penalty.
The Supreme Court has clearly stated that if the Centre fails to act by the set date, the court will proceed to assess the case based on its merits. This case has drawn significant attention due to the high-profile nature of the crime involved and the lengthy judicial processes that followed Rajoana’s conviction in July 2007.
