Advertisement
Balwant Singh Rajoana, a death row convict in the assassination case of former Chief Minister Beant Singh, concluded his indefinite hunger strike on Friday. The hunger strike, initiated on December 5, was terminated after a delegation led by Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh assured him of a decision on his mercy petition by December 31.
Rajoana’s demand was centered around the withdrawal of the mercy petition filed by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) in 2012, citing its prolonged pendency. His sister, Kamaldeep Kaur, had urged the Akal Takht Jathedar to intervene and convince him to end the hunger strike. Balwant Singh Rajoana, a death row convict in the assassination case of former Chief Minister Beant Singh, concluded his indefinite hunger strike on Friday.
The SGPC has been directed by Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh to review its decision regarding the withdrawal of the mercy petition if the central government does not commute Rajoana’s death sentence by December 31.
RajoaAssurances on Mercy Petition Decisionna, originally scheduled for execution on March 31, 2012, had his execution stayed by the Congress-led government at the Centre after the SGPC filed a mercy petition on his behalf. The petition, pending since then, has been a point of contention, leading to Rajoana’s hunger strikes over the years.
SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami stated that Rajoana concluded his hunger strike after assurances of a decision on his mercy petition by December 31. Dhami emphasized that the issue would be taken up with the Union government, and if no decision is made, the government should be prepared for the consequences.
Rajoana’s sister, Kamaldeep Kaur, urged the government to make a decision on the mercy petition by December 31 or withdraw it altogether.
