Balwant Rajoana’s mercy petition will not be withdrawn: SGPC

The SGPC has asserted that it will not withdraw the mercy petition filed in the case of Balwant Singh Rajoana, a death row convict in the assassination of former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh.

The decision was taken by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) after holding a meeting with legal experts.

Rajoana had earlier demanded that the SGPC withdraw its petition.

Speaking to reporters here on Saturday, SGPC chief Harjinder Dhami said all legal experts believed that the mercy petition should not be withdrawn and the legal battle be carried on.

“All lawyers gave their view that the petition should not be withdrawn. We should see what the government’s stand is on it," Dhami said.

Taking no decision on the petition by the successive governments at the Centre was not right; this is a very serious matter and it is important to form an opinion on it, he said.

Punjab