In a hearing on September 24, 2025, the Supreme Court of India sharply questioned the Union government over the prolonged delay in deciding the mercy plea of Balwant Singh Rajoana. Rajoana, who was sentenced to death for the 1995 assassination of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh, has had his mercy petition pending for over 12 years.
Supreme Court Grills Centre on Balwant Singh Rajoana’s Case
Supreme Court Grills Centre over Delay in Rajoana Case: What’s at Stake?
In a sharp hearing, India’s Supreme Court questioned the Union Government over its prolonged inaction in deciding the mercy petition of Balwant Singh Rajoana, the death row convict in the 1995 assassination of Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh. The bench’s pointed queries reflect mounting frustration over what it sees as “inordinate delay” by the executive in fulfilling its constitutional duty.
Background: Who Is Balwant Singh Rajoana?
- In 1995, a bomb blast at the Chandigarh civil secretariat resulted in the death of CM Beant Singh and 16 others. Rajoana was convicted by a special court in 2007 for his role in that attack.
- The Punjab & Haryana High Court upheld his death sentence in 2010.
- In 2012, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) filed a mercy petition (under Article 72) on his behalf, and the execution was stayed.
- Over the subsequent years, the mercy plea remained pending. Meanwhile, the Union Government in 2019 proposed commuting his death sentence to life imprisonment (on the occasion of Guru Nanak Dev’s 550th birth anniversary), but that decision was never implemented.
Because of these delays, Rajoana has spent nearly three decades in prison — including over a decade on death row.
What Happened in the Supreme Court Hearing?
During the recent hearing:
- The bench (Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta, N.V. Anjaria) pressed the Centre with blunt questions: “Why did you not hang him till now? Who is to blame for that?”
- Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing Rajoana, stressed that the convict has been held in limbo, some years even in solitary confinement, worsening his mental and physical condition.
- The Centre’s counsel (ASG K.M. Nataraj) argued the case involved serious national security considerations.
- The Court gave the Union Government a “last chance” to decide or face a full hearing of the mercy petition on merits. The next hearing is scheduled for October 15.
In earlier hearings, the Court had already asked the Centre to decide the matter by March 18, 2025, but the Government has not taken final action.
Legal & Constitutional Issues Involved
- Right to Life and Liberty (Article 21)
Rajoana’s lawyers argue that indefinite delay in deciding his mercy petition amounts to violation of his fundamental rights under Article 21 of the Constitution. - Doctrine of Inordinate Delay
Indian jurisprudence has evolved to recognize that an inordinate delay by the executive or state may warrant commuting a death sentence to life imprisonment. The Court appears to be testing whether that doctrine must apply here. - Separation of Powers & Executive Discretion
The mercy petition is an executive function under Article 72. The Court’s intervention raises the tension between judicial review and executive discretion, especially in high‑stakes cases involving capital punishment. - “Sensitive” Cases & National Security Argument
The Centre has repeatedly cited the sensitivity of the case — involving murder of a sitting Chief Minister — as justification for delay. The Court seems skeptical that such sensitivity can indefinitely forestall a decision.
Why This Case Matters
- Judicial Accountability vs. Executive Inaction: The Supreme Court’s stern tone signals a refusal to let executive inaction go unchecked, especially where life and death hang in the balance.
- Implications for Death Penalty Jurisprudence: A decision to commute Rajoana’s sentence would reinforce the principle that prolonged delay is itself a ground for mercy.
- Political & Community Sentiment: The SGPC and Sikh groups have demanded swift action, calling the delay discriminatory and insulting to Sikh sentiments.
- Precedent for Other Cases: If the court forces prompt decision-making in this case, other death row convicts may cite Rajoana as a precedent.
What to expect at the next hearing
The hearing on October 15, 2025, is a critical date for the case.
- The Supreme Court will expect a definitive answer or update from the Centre on the status of Rajoana’s mercy petition.
- If the Centre fails to provide a satisfactory answer or continues to delay, the court may make a ruling itself. Previous court rulings have established a precedent for commuting a death sentence based on inordinate delay.
- The outcome of the hearing could have significant legal and political ramifications, especially regarding the government’s handling of such sensitive cases
Supreme Court’s Stern Warning to Centre Over Balwant Singh Rajoana’s Mercy Plea
Key Facts & Chronology
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| The Crime & Conviction | On August 31, 1995, a bomb exploded outside the Civil Secretariat in Chandigarh, killing then Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh and 16 others. Balwant Singh Rajoana was convicted by a special CBI court in 2007, upheld later by the Punjab & Haryana High Court. |
| Mercy Petition Filed | Rajoana’s mercy petition (presidential pardon / commutation plea) was filed in 2012. |
| 2019 Proposal | In 2019, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) reportedly proposed commuting his death sentence to life imprisonment — in connection with goodwill gestures for the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev — but the proposal remained unimplemented. |
| Supreme Court Interventions | Over the years, the Supreme Court has repeatedly directed the Centre to decide, expressed displeasure at delays, asked for action reports, and given deadlines. Notably: • May 2022: SC asked Centre to decide preferably in two months, without waiting for appeals of other convicts. • March‑2022: SC directed decision by April 30, with key officials to appear in case of non‑action. • November 2024: SC urged President’s secretary to decide in 2 weeks or consider interim relief. • Late 2024: SC granted Centre four weeks (from Nov 25, 2024) to decide. • 2025 Jan: SC said final deadline is March 18, 2025, or it will hear the petition on merits. |
| Current Status | As of September 2025, the Supreme Court has again grilled the Centre, questioning the delay in hanging Rajoana or at least deciding the mercy petition. The case is listed for resumed hearing on October 15, 2025. |
What to Watch In Coming Days
- October 15, 2025 Hearing
Crucial: whether the Centre produces a final decision, or whether the Supreme Court takes up the mercy petition on merits itself. - Centre’s Written Response
The Court has asked for reasons; the quality & completeness of Centre’s justification (national security, agency inputs, co‑accused appeals, etc.) will matter. - Potential Interim Orders
The Court may provide interim relief if no decision is forthcoming—e.g. improved jail conditions, psychological / medical care, possibly stay of execution. - SGPC Role & Withdrawal
The SGPC (Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee) is a signatory / filer of the mercy petition. There have been media reports about Rajoana wanting to withdraw the petition filed by SGPC. If that happens, it could impact locus or procedural standing arguments. - Political & Social Pressure
Sikh political bodies, Akal Takht, religious leadership etc. are pushing for action. Their statements may increase pressure on the Centre. - Precedent Effect
Whatever the outcome, this is likely to affect how long the executive can keep mercy petitions pending, particularly in capital punishment cases.
