Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj says government should not delay decision on demand for release

Patiala, 29 September (H.S.): Sri Akal Takht Sahib Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj, Takht Sri Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Tek Singh and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami on Tuesday met Balwant Singh Rajoana, who is lodged in Patiala Central Jail. During the meeting, they discussed his health, conditions in jail and his long-pending legal case. SGPC Interim Committee member Surjit Singh Garhi was also present.

Rajoana was convicted in the 1995 assassination case of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh and was awarded the death sentence by a special CBI court in 2007. A mercy petition concerning his case has remained pending for a long time. In September 2019, on the occasion of the 550th Parkash Purab of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the Central Government had proposed commuting his death sentence to life imprisonment, but the decision has not yet been implemented.

After the meeting, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj said that Rajoana had made it clear that he was not seeking any kind of “mercy” and wanted the government to take a final decision in his case. He said that despite the 2019 announcement, the matter has remained pending for years and should not be delayed any further. Giani Gargajj said that if the government does not take a timely decision, a meeting of the Panj Singh Sahibans would be convened to discuss the future course of action.

The Jathedar said that during the meeting, Rajoana also expressed concern over the situation of Jagtar Singh Hawara. He alleged that Hawara was not being granted parole even to meet his elderly and ailing mother. Giani Gargajj and the SGPC leadership have earlier also raised questions over the government’s approach. He also extended support to the proposed march on October 2 seeking the release of Sikh prisoners.

SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami said that Rajoana had sought an early decision on the mercy petition filed by the SGPC and the related legal proceedings. He said Rajoana has been in jail for a long period and the SGPC would continue to pursue the cases of Rajoana, Jagtar Singh Hawara and other Sikh prisoners.

Recently, Rajoana had also written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking an early and final decision on his mercy petition. He had stated that irrespective of whether the decision was in his favour or against him, the matter should not remain pending indefinitely.

Hindusthan Samachar / GURSHARAN SINGH