3 weeks ago
Punjab CM's Parole Request for Beant Singh Assassin Sparks Row
In India, a big argument is happening in the state of Punjab.
The leader of Punjab, Bhagwant Mann, asked the governor to let a prisoner named Jagtar Singh Hawara go home for 10 days.
The prisoner's mother is very old and sick, and he wants to visit her.
Many years ago, in 1995, this prisoner was found guilty of being part of the attack that killed the former leader of Punjab, Beant Singh.
The prisoner is now spending his whole life in jail.
Some people think letting him visit his sick mother is the kind and right thing to do, and say it is just about being human.
Other people think the leader is only doing this to win support from Sikh voters, and they are upset about it.
Even some people who usually disagree with the leader think his request is fair, because the prisoner has already spent 30 years in jail.
In the end, only the governor can decide if the prisoner will get to see his mother.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann asked Governor Gulab Chand Kataria to grant 10-day parole to Jagtar Singh Hawara, convicted in the 1995 assassination of former CM Beant Singh, so he can meet his ailing mother.
Mann's letter, sent on Saturday, cited humanitarian grounds, saying Hawara's mother is facing age-related health issues.
Hawara, serving life imprisonment at Mandoli prison in Delhi, had his death sentence commuted to life by the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 2010.
SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia accused AAP of 'double standards,' citing the earlier deferral of Davinder Pal Singh Bhullar's release when Arvind Kejriwal was Delhi chief minister.
BJP leaders Amarinder Singh and Ravneet Singh Bittu backed the request, saying Hawara has already served his sentence and his mother should not be punished.
- Who
- Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, and convict Jagtar Singh Hawara
- What
- A request for 10-day parole for Hawara, convicted in the assassination of former CM Beant Singh, to meet his ailing mother
- Where
- Punjab and Chandigarh; Hawara is lodged at Mandoli prison in Delhi
- When
- The request was made in a letter on Saturday; last month the High Court had directed Mandoli prison authorities to decide Hawara's parole application
- Why
- Humanitarian grounds — Hawara's mother is facing age-related health issues due to her old age
Supporters' view
Critics' view
Motivation behind the request
Supporters' view
AAP and its MP Malvinder Singh Kang say the request is purely humanitarian, noting Hawara's mother's deteriorating health and that 200 panchayats have passed resolutions supporting it.
Critics' view
SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia calls it 'double standards,' and political observers note AAP is moving into terrain traditionally occupied by the SAD as it battles for control of the SGPC and Sikh votes.
AAP's consistency on Bandi Singhs
Supporters' view
AAP says it is acting on humanity and that Hawara 'has already served his sentence.'
Critics' view
Majithia points out that when Arvind Kejriwal was Delhi Chief Minister, his government deferred the release of Davinder Pal Singh Bhullar, a 1993 Delhi bomb blast convict.
Parole recommendation
Supporters' view
Amarinder Singh and Ravneet Singh Bittu support the request, arguing Hawara has spent about 30 years in jail and his mother should not suffer for his wrongdoing.
Critics' view
Majithia alleged the Punjab Jail Department's February 19, 2026 file carried a 'Non Recommendation' for Hawara's parole and questioned the government's stance on co-accused Balwant Singh Rajoana.
Key facts
- Requesting official
- Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann
- Parole sought
- 10 days for Jagtar Singh Hawara
- Reason given
- Hawara's ailing mother's age-related health issues
- Convict
- Jagtar Singh Hawara, serving life sentence at Mandoli prison, Delhi
- Crime
- August 31, 1995 assassination of former CM Beant Singh in a bomb blast that killed 17 people
- Sentence history
- Death sentence (2007) commuted to life imprisonment (2010)
- Governor
- Gulab Chand Kataria, who is also the Chandigarh Administrator
Quotes
Former Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh
Former Punjab Chief Minister and BJP member
“I was against holding people in jail after they have served their sentence…”
indianexpress.com
“My request is purely on humanitarian grounds yawn…”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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