New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Union government to make a decision on the mercy plea of Balwant Singh Rajoana, who is on death row for the 1995 assassination of then Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh. The apex court set March 18 as the deadline for the Centre to resolve the matter, warning that it would proceed to hear the case on its merits if no decision is made by then.
A bench of Justices B.R. Gavai, Prashant Kumar Mishra, and K.V. Viswanathan issued the directive to Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who represented the Centre. Mehta requested six weeks’ time, citing the gravity of the case and its broader implications, as it involved the assassination of a sitting chief minister in a terrorist attack.
Rajoana’s counsel argued that the long delay in deciding the mercy plea warranted relief and urged the court to grant leniency. However, the Solicitor General highlighted concerns about Rajoana’s reintegration into society, emphasizing the sensitivity of the case.
The apex court has been monitoring the mercy plea since last year, with prior hearings noting delays and the Centre’s hesitation in resolving the matter. In November 2024, the Centre informed the court that the case held significant sensitivities, requesting additional time for deliberation.