Archive · 29 Sep 2026
Akal Takht Leader Meets Death-Row Convict Over Mercy Plea
Akal Takht and Sikh organization leaders visited Balwant Singh Rajoana in a Patiala jail.
Rajoana is on death row because of his role in the 1995 assassination of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh.
He has asked for his death sentence to be changed to life in prison.
His mercy petition has been waiting for a decision from the Union government since 2012.
The petition was filed by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, also called the SGPC.
Rajoana recently asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to decide the petition soon.
He said he has spent 30 years in prison.
The leaders also discussed other Sikh prisoners held in different jails.
Rajoana said he would accept martyrdom rather than humiliation.
Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj and Harjinder Singh Dhami met Balwant Singh Rajoana in Patiala jail.
The discussion focused on Rajoana’s pending mercy petition and Sikh prisoners in different jails.
Rajoana has been sentenced to death for involvement in the 1995 assassination of Beant Singh.
His petition seeking commutation to life imprisonment has been pending with the Union government since 2012.
Rajoana recently urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to decide his petition, citing 30 years in prison.
- Who
- Akal Takht Acting Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj, SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami, and death-row convict Balwant Singh Rajoana.
- What
- Gargajj and Dhami met Rajoana to discuss his mercy petition and the cases of Sikh prisoners.
- When
- Tuesday; Rajoana’s mercy petition has been pending since 2012, and he wrote to Narendra Modi this month.
- Where
- Central Jail in Patiala, Punjab.
- Why
- The meeting concerned the pending decision on Rajoana’s death sentence and broader efforts regarding Sikh prisoners.
Rajoana and Sikh Religious Bodies
Union Government
Decision on mercy petition
Rajoana and Sikh Religious Bodies
Rajoana and the SGPC have sought an early decision, saying the prolonged delay has caused distress; Rajoana has also questioned why no decision has been taken after 30 years in prison.
Union Government
The Union government has not yet decided the mercy petition, which has remained pending since 2012.
Status of the SGPC petition
Rajoana and Sikh Religious Bodies
Rajoana has indicated that he wants the SGPC to withdraw its petition and press for an immediate decision, while the SGPC has repeatedly urged the Union government to act.
Union Government
The petition remains before the Union government, and the articles report no decision on whether it will be commuted.
- Convict
- Balwant Singh Rajoana
- Sentence
- Death sentence for his role in the 1995 assassination of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh
- Mercy petition
- Filed by the SGPC under Article 72 in March 2012
- Requested relief
- Commutation of the death sentence to life imprisonment
- Current status
- The petition remains pending with the Union government
- Time in prison
- Rajoana said he has spent 30 years in prison
- Related issue
- Sikh religious bodies are pursuing cases involving Sikh prisoners, commonly called Bandi Singhs