Centre Opposes Commuting Rajoana's Death Sentence; Supreme Court to Hear Plea Oct 28ਕੇਂਦਰ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਰਾਜੋਆਣਾ ਦੀ ਫਾਂਸੀ ਘਟਾਉਣ ਦਾ ਵਿਰੋਧ; ਸੁਪਰੀਮ ਕੋਰਟ 28 ਅਕਤੂਬਰ ਨੂੰ ਸੁਣੇਗੀ

The Centre has told the Supreme Court it opposes commuting Balwant Singh Rajoana's death sentence, and the stand has landed in the middle of talk about a BJP-SAD alliance revival ahead of Punjab's 2027 elections. A three-judge bench will now hear Rajoana's plea on its merits on October 28.

What did the Centre tell the Supreme Court?

Additional Solicitor General K.M. Nataraj told a bench headed by Justice Vikram Nath on Wednesday that the Centre has an objection to the demand. "Considering the prevailing situation in the State, it will not be conducive to take any decision," The Hindu quoted him as saying. The bench, which also includes Justices Sandeep Mehta and Aparesh Kumar Singh, said that since the Centre opposes the plea, it would hear the matter on merits. Nataraj sought time to prepare, and the case was listed for October 28.

What is Rajoana's case?

Rajoana was convicted for his role in the 1995 assassination of Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh, who was killed in a suicide bombing outside the Punjab and Haryana Civil Secretariat in Chandigarh on August 31, 1995. A special court sentenced him to death in July 2007 and the High Court upheld it in 2010. His execution, fixed for March 31, 2012, was stayed after the SGPC filed a mercy petition on his behalf. The petition has been pending before the President since 2012.

Why is he back in court?

Rajoana, who has been in custody for more than 30 years, argues that the long delay in deciding his mercy petition violates his right to life under Article 21. The Supreme Court declined to commute the sentence on May 3, 2023, and left it to the competent authority to deal with the petition. He moved the court again in 2024. The Hindu reported that the Union Home Ministry had announced a decision in 2019 to commute the sentence, linked to Guru Nanak Dev's 550th birth anniversary, but no follow-up decision came.

How have the Akalis and SGPC reacted?

Hindustan Times reported that SAD secretary Daljit Singh Cheema called it a human rights issue, saying Rajoana has been in jail for more than 31 years and "there is no logic in that". He said the party would discuss its next step with Sukhbir Singh Badal. SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami has asked for an early decision. According to Dhami, Rajoana himself wants a final decision, whether execution or commutation, and has asked the SGPC to withdraw the mercy petition. Dhami said the SGPC cannot do so on its own because it filed the petition on the Akal Takht's directions.

What does it mean for the BJP-SAD alliance?

The two parties split in September 2020 over the farm laws. Talk of a reunion grew after Sukhbir Badal met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 7, but neither side has announced anything, and both are preparing for 2027 separately. Hindustan Times said the Rajoana stand adds another layer of uncertainty.

What happens next?

The Supreme Court will take up the plea on October 28. Until then, the mercy petition stays pending and the death sentence stands.

When will the Supreme Court hear Rajoana's plea?

On October 28, 2026, before a bench headed by Justice Vikram Nath. It will hear the plea on its merits.

Why does the Centre oppose commuting the sentence?

Through the Additional Solicitor General, it cited the prevailing situation in Punjab, saying it would not be conducive to take a decision now.

Who filed Rajoana's mercy petition?

The SGPC filed it on his behalf in 2012, on directions from the Akal Takht. It has been pending before the President since then.