Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal on Monday said that the government is taking all possible legal and constitutional steps for seeking clemency for Balwant Singh Bhai Rajoana, accused in former chief minister Beant Singh’s killing.
In a statement made in the state Assembly, Mr Badal said that eminent jurists are of the view that to seek clemency in this case is within the ambit of law and Constitution and several old cases, judgments and precedents are also available for support.
Mr Badal said that the Punjab government has decided to take further the initiative on this issue and he would personally call on President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to seek clemency for Balwant Singh Rajoana. He added that other legal efforts will also continue simultaneously along with it.
Describing the issue as historic and sensitive, the chief minister appealed to all the Punjabis and countrymen to safeguard the peace of Punjab and amity at all costs. He said that our approach would not only impact the present but the future generations also as history will judge all of us that what sort of Punjab we will give to our coming generations in legacy.
The superintendent of Patiala jail also moved a petition in a court here, seeking deferment of Balwant Singh Rajoana’s hanging, with CBI questioning locus standi saying he was not the competent authority to challenge the death sentence.
Lakhwinder Singh Jakhar submitted that the death warrant could not be executed as the matter of other convict, Lakhwinder Singh, was still pending before the Supreme Court.
Mr Badal said it is important to mention the appeal has been made by the family members of Late Beant Singh to adopt a humane and positive approach over this issue for maintaining an atmosphere of peace, unity and communal harmony in Punjab at all costs.
He added that Punjab PCC president Capt. Amarinder Singh has also issued a statement to extend support to the government, if it files an appeal or petition to the President of India for commutation of punishment of Balwant Singh Rajoana.