The Supreme Court of India is closely monitoring the long-delayed mercy plea of Balwant Singh Rajoana, convicted for the 1995 assassination of Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh. The Court has repeatedly asked the Centre why the execution has not been carried out, emphasizing that justice delayed is justice denied. The justices expressed concern that the 15-year delay raises questions about fairness to the victims’ families and the credibility of the judicial system. While the Centre has cited concerns about law and order, national security, and political sensitivities in Punjab, the Supreme Court has made it clear that such delays cannot continue indefinitely. The apex court views the case as one requiring urgent resolution, balancing legal obligations, societal stability, and historical sensitivities. The next hearing is scheduled for October 15, 2025, where the Court expects the Centre to provide a definitive course of action on Rajoana’s mercy plea. From the Court’s perspective, the matter is purely judicial and procedural, focused on ensuring timely justice, rather than political or community pressures.

The court made it clear that delays in deciding mercy pleas are unfair, not just to the victims’ families, but also to the system of justice itself. The Centre has argued that executing Rajoana could spark law and order problems and disturb sensitive politics in Punjab.

Who is Balwant Singh Rajoana?

Rajoana, a member of Babbar Khalsa, played a key role in the assassination. While Dilawar Singh carried explosives into the Punjab secretariat, Rajoana waited nearby to ensure the plan succeeded.

He never denied his actions. In court, he said:

“Yes, I did it. I have no regret. I and Bhai Dilawar Singh prepared the bomb.”

He refused a lawyer and called the death sentence justice.

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Why He Did It

Rajoana’s anger came from years of pain and injustice in Punjab. Beant Singh became Chief Minister in 1992 after long stretches of President’s rule. Many Sikhs blamed him for fake police encounters and killings of young Sikhs.

Rajoana also remembered Operation Blue Star (1984) and the anti-Sikh riots after Indira Gandhi’s assassination. In his words:

“Beant Singh thought of himself as an angel of peace after killing thousands of innocent people. We had to act.”

The Long Wait

Rajoana’s hanging was first scheduled for March 31, 2012, but it was stopped at the last moment after the SGPC filed a mercy petition. The Home Ministry delayed action. In 2019, they proposed commuting his sentence to life for Guru Nanak’s 550th anniversary, but nothing happened.

In 2020, Rajoana went to the Supreme Court to push his mercy plea. The Court told the Centre to act but now, in 2025, it has openly questioned the delay, stressing justice and fairness.

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Beant Singh’s Family Speaks

Ravneet Singh Bittu, Beant Singh’s grandson and Congress MP, has been firm: Rajoana should face the law fully. In 2019, he asked the government why they were even considering mercy. He said delays only prolong the suffering of the victims’ families.

Sikh Community Reactions

The case has divided Punjab:

  • Giani Harpreet Singh, acting Jathedar of the Akal Takht, said the Centre must consider religious feelings and social stability.

  • Some SAD leaders support Rajoana for the post of Jathedar, while Sarbat Khalsa favors Jagtar Singh Hawara.

  • Many in the Sikh community see Rajoana as a symbol of resistance, tied to the wounds of the 1980s and 1990s.

Punjab’s Painful History

Punjab went through decades of violence:

  • Operation Blue Star (1984) – storming of the Golden Temple, thousands killed.

  • Anti-Sikh riots (1984) – over 8,000 Sikhs killed.

  • Militancy years (1980s-1995) – bombings, killings, fake encounters; over 17,000 dead.

Rajoana’s story is part of this troubled past that still shapes feelings in Punjab today.

What’s Next?

The Supreme Court has put pressure on the Centre. A decision cannot be delayed much longer. The October 15 hearing may finally decide Rajoana’s fate.

For Punjab, it is not just about one man. It is about justice, memory, anger, and closure — decades after a violent chapter that still echoes in the streets and hearts of the state.

Chandigarh / Delhi, October 2025 – The Supreme Court of India recently raised a sharp question to the Centre over its prolonged delay in deciding the mercy plea of Balwant Singh Rajoana, the convicted killer of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh. Justice Sandeep Mehta asked pointedly, “Why didn’t you hang him till now?” The Bench, which also included Justices Vikram Nath and N V Anjaria, has scheduled the next hearing for October 15, 2025.

The Court’s inquiry highlighted the unusual 15-year delay in executing Rajoana’s sentence, emphasizing that the prolonged indecision was not only a legal anomaly but also a matter of justice for the victims’ families. The justices expressed concern that such delays could undermine public confidence in the judicial process, and left the Centre with the responsibility to explain its hesitation clearly. The government cited concerns over potential law and order disturbances, national security, and the delicate political sensitivities surrounding Punjab’s historical wounds.

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