SGPC delegation meets Rajoana in jail, slams Centre’s inaction on mercy plea

New Delhi: A delegation of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), led by its president Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami, met death row convict Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana at Central Jail, Patiala, on Friday.

After the meeting, Dhami criticised the Centre for its “negative attitude” towards Rajoana’s mercy petition and said the SGPC would chalk out a future strategy on the matter.

Dhami accused the government of adopting an “anti-Sikh” stance by not releasing Sikh prisoners who have completed their jail terms, alleging it was part of a “calculated conspiracy.”

He was accompanied by SGPC executive member Surjit Singh Garhi, members Rajinder Singh Mehta and Bhagwant Singh Sialka, SGPC secretary Partap Singh, and Sachkhand Sri Darbar Sahib manager Bhagwant Singh Dhangara.

Addressing the media after the meeting, Dhami said it was “unfortunate” that the Centre had not taken any decision on Rajoana’s plea seeking commutation of his death sentence to life imprisonment.

He accused the central government of violating Supreme Court orders and depriving individuals of their human rights.

Rajoana, during his interaction with the SGPC delegation, urged them to increase pressure on the Centre for an early decision on his petition.