New Delhi: The Supreme Court directed the Union Government to take decision on petition of death row convict Balwant Singh Rajoana within two months in former Chief Minister of Punjab Beant Singh’s assassination case.
Court observed that government must “show compassion” while deciding mercy plea of citizens.
The government counsel, while opposing Rajoana’s mercy plea, contended that convict on record said that he didn’t have faith in judicial system of the country and refused to file appeal in higher courts in past, therefore, he should not be granted any relief.
Apex Court bench, however, remained the government counsel that Rajoana is also a Indian citizen and government should have “compassion” for him while deciding his plea expeditiously.
Rajoana had convicted for assassinating former Punjab CM Beant Singh and has been in jail for 26 years.