SC directs Centre to decide on Rajoana’s mercy plea by March 18

New Delhi: The Supreme Court today directed the Centre to make a decision on the mercy plea of death row convict Balwant Singh Rajoana by March 18. If the decision is not made, the court will hear the case on its merits.

A three-judge bench, led by Justice B.R. Gavai and comprising Justices P.K. Mishra and K.V. Vishwanath, issued the ultimatum to Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who represented the Centre.

“We are giving you one last chance. Either you decide or we will hear it on the basis of merits,” the bench stated.

The court said that it will proceed to hear the matter on March 18 if no decision is taken by then. Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing Rajoana, argued that the convict has been on death row for 15 years and in jail for 29 years.

“This has been going on since the tenure of CJI S.A. Bobde. He should be released now,” Rohatgi added.

Rajoana was convicted and sentenced to death for his involvement in the 1995 assassination of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh.