Rajoana writes to PM Modi, seeks early decision on mercy plea

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Says he has spent nearly 31 years in prison and over 20 years under a death sentence

Patiala, September 17

Death-row convict Balwant Singh Rajoana has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking an early decision on the mercy petition filed on his behalf by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), which he said has been pending before the Union Home Ministry for several years.

In the letter, Rajoana said he had spent more than 20 years under the shadow of the death sentence and had remained behind bars for nearly 31 years.

He urged the Prime Minister to ensure that a decision was taken on his mercy petition at the earliest, saying the prolonged uncertainty was also affecting his human rights.

Rajoana said he had admitted before the court what he had done and was prepared to accept the punishment awarded to him by the court.

He also referred to the case involving the assassination of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh and mentioned Dilawar Singh, who carried out the attack as a human bomb.

In his letter, Rajoana said he had himself prepared and sent Dilawar Singh for the act. He said that if he were to deny or retract what he had done, his conscience would not permit him to do so.

Rajoana once again appealed for an early decision on his mercy petition, saying that he had already spent a prolonged period in prison and under a death sentence.

The letter comes on the occasion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday on September 17.

Rajoana has been in jail for nearly three decades in connection with the 1995 assassination of Beant Singh. His mercy petition, submitted through the SGPC, has remained under consideration of the Centre.

In the latest letter, he sought a final decision on the plea, maintaining that continued pendency of the matter had prolonged his uncertainty over the sentence.