Centre opposes death sentence commutation for Rajoana in Beant Singh case

The Centre has filed its response opposing any commutation of the death sentence handed to Balwant Singh Rajoana, who was convicted for his role in the assassination of then-Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh in August 1997. The move comes in response to Rajoana's plea before the Supreme Court, where he challenged the inordinate delay in deciding his mercy petition that has remained pending with the President since 2012.

Rajoana, who has spent more than 30 years in custody, argued that the prolonged delay in the President's consideration of his clemency plea violated his constitutional rights. He contended that such extended periods of uncertainty regarding capital punishment raise significant legal and humanitarian concerns.

The assassination of Beant Singh, a prominent Congress leader, occurred at his residence in Chandigarh and was attributed to members of a separatist organization. The case drew significant attention at the time and led to a lengthy judicial process that culminated in Rajoana's conviction and death sentence.

The Supreme Court will now examine both the Centre's opposition and Rajoana's claims regarding procedural delays in the mercy petition process. The case raises broader questions about the timely disposal of clemency petitions in death sentence matters and the rights of long-term death row inmates.