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PATIALA: Balwant Singh Rajoana, a death row convict in the assassination case of former Punjab CM Beant Singh, started a hunger strike in Patiala jail, urging the withdrawal of a mercy petition filed by SGPC on his behalf 12 years ago.
Despite spending nearly 28 years in prison, the decision to commute his death sentence to life imprisonment remained pending.
Rajoana declared his intention to continue the hunger strike until the mercy plea was withdrawn, attributing responsibility to Jathedar Akal Takht and SGPC President. The Superintendent of Central Jail Patiala, Manjit Singh Sidhu, confirmed Rajoana’s hunger strike and refusal to consume food.
In a letter, Rajoana reminded SGPC and Akali leadership of his previous futile hunger strikes in November 2016 and July 2018 to expedite a decision on the plea. Despite assurances from SGPC Presidents Kirpal Singh Badungar and Gobind Singh Longowal, no resolution occurred. Rajoana expressed distrust in panthic leaders, recalling how they intervened in his hunger strikes in the past without delivering on promises.
Addressing Jathedar Akal Takht, Rajoana emphasized that this time, he sought the withdrawal of the mercy petition. He questioned the lack of accountability for the failure to resolve the pending mercy plea, despite Akal Takht’s directives. Rajoana’s sister, Kamaldeep Kaur, criticized SAD leaders for their lack of serious efforts and accused them of engaging in political posturing rather than genuine concern for her brother’s plight.
Despite SGPC’s recent announcement refusing to withdraw the mercy petition, Rajoana remained resolute in his hunger strike. The SAD (B) delegation’s denied attempt to meet him added to the ongoing tension. Rajoana, sentenced to death in 2007 for Beant Singh’s assassination, had his execution postponed in 2012 after SGPC filed a mercy petition a week before the scheduled hanging.
Despite spending nearly 28 years in prison, the decision to commute his death sentence to life imprisonment remained pending.
Rajoana declared his intention to continue the hunger strike until the mercy plea was withdrawn, attributing responsibility to Jathedar Akal Takht and SGPC President. The Superintendent of Central Jail Patiala, Manjit Singh Sidhu, confirmed Rajoana’s hunger strike and refusal to consume food.
In a letter, Rajoana reminded SGPC and Akali leadership of his previous futile hunger strikes in November 2016 and July 2018 to expedite a decision on the plea. Despite assurances from SGPC Presidents Kirpal Singh Badungar and Gobind Singh Longowal, no resolution occurred. Rajoana expressed distrust in panthic leaders, recalling how they intervened in his hunger strikes in the past without delivering on promises.
Addressing Jathedar Akal Takht, Rajoana emphasized that this time, he sought the withdrawal of the mercy petition. He questioned the lack of accountability for the failure to resolve the pending mercy plea, despite Akal Takht’s directives. Rajoana’s sister, Kamaldeep Kaur, criticized SAD leaders for their lack of serious efforts and accused them of engaging in political posturing rather than genuine concern for her brother’s plight.
Despite SGPC’s recent announcement refusing to withdraw the mercy petition, Rajoana remained resolute in his hunger strike. The SAD (B) delegation’s denied attempt to meet him added to the ongoing tension. Rajoana, sentenced to death in 2007 for Beant Singh’s assassination, had his execution postponed in 2012 after SGPC filed a mercy petition a week before the scheduled hanging.
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