Azaad

With less than a week to go for the hanging of Balwant Singh Rajoana on March 31, his native village has stepped up efforts to save the assassin of former Chief Minister Beant Singh. The residents of Rajoana village, falling in Raikot area of Ludhiana district, today sought the intervention of the Union and state governments to save the ‘Zinda Shaheed’ (living martyr), a title bestowed upon Rajoana by the Akal Takht, from the gallows. Around 300 of them today took out a rally on motorcycles, which started from Rajoana village and concluded in Patiala. The villagers also prayed for Balwant’s safety at the historic Gurdwara Dukhnivaran Sahib in Patiala. "Punjab has already witnessed a lot of bloodshed during the militancy period that lasted around two decades. The Union and the state governments should ensure that Rojana is saved…. His hanging can disturb Punjab’s hard-earned peace,” said Ramninder Singh, a Rajoana resident. Several Sikh organisations have also joined the “Save Rajoana” chorus. They issued separate statements demanding the commuting of Rajoana’s death sentence. Sources in the Punjab intelligence wing said there was a possibility of the situation getting out of control if immediate steps were not taken to save Rajoana.

Apprehending that pro-Khalistan hardliners could try to exploit the situation in the state, intelligence units have cautioned the government to ensure foolproof security measures ahead of March 31. A high-level security review meeting was held today which was attended by the police and intelligence top brass. It was decided to depute additional security personnel in all districts. Following a review of the security arrangements after the court order on hanging of Beant Singh’s assassin Balwant Singh Rajoana, the Punjab government had sent an SOS call to the Centre, seeking additional paramilitary forces. Sources said the state government had already got additional back-up of 15 companies of the paramilitary force and the CRPF. “Following a meeting of the police top brass and intelligence units, the companies have been stationed in all districts of the state,” they added. Besides, the armed battalions of the state force have been kept on a high alert. ADGP (Law and Order) SK Sharma said all aspects of maintaining law and order in the state were discussed in detail. “We have decided to step up security all over the state by deputing additional forces,” he said. Intelligence inputs suggest that some hardliners could try to create disturbance in the garb of support for Rajoana due to which the police is extra cautious. Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has already assured that he would do everything possible to see that “the situation does not get out of hand nor it is exploited by the hardliners”. “Peace in Punjab came at a very high price and all of us want it to continue,” he had commented during his visit to Patiala yesterday. Meanwhile, the hardline factions have called for a complete bandh on March 28 followed by two days of agitation outside the Patiala Central Jail. “We have completed the security review. Though peaceful agitations could continue, no one would be allowed to violate the law”, said Patiala DIG LK Yadav.

Demand for revocation of capital punishment to Balwant Singh Rajoana is getting stronger. Late Chief Minister Beant Singh’s two daughters, former Punjab minister Gurkanwal Kaur and UK-based Manjit Kaur, have not only forgiven Rajoana but also decided to appeal to the court to waive his death sentence. They said they had been inspired by UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi who had forgiven the killers of her husband Rajiv Gandhi. “We are staunch followers of ‘gurbani’ which teaches us to forgive people and forget the past. We are against the concept of capital punishment. Rajoana should not be hanged and the court should consider our view point on this. We are going to write a formal letter to the court in this regard,” said Gurkanwal and Amanjit while talking to The Tribune at the former’s Mota Singh Nagar residence last evening. “The motive behind our move is to preserve peace and communal harmony in the state,” they said. “Our father sacrificed his life for peace in the state. How can we disturb it by supporting Rajoana’s hanging? We don’t believe in taking revenge. Moreover, giving life or taking it back is the domain of ‘waheguru’,” said the sisters.

A day after Congress Legislature Party leader Sunil Jakhar said the law should take its own course in the Beant Singh murder case, party's state president Capt Amarinder Singh said they would support any move by the state government to get assassin Balwant Singh Rajoana's death sentence commuted to life term. Sources said this was the party's latest stand that had been arrived at after detailed discussion. They said Jakhar had made a personal statement on the issue. The PCC president, in a statement here, said the party would support any step taken by the government, be it legal or an appeal to the President, to get Rajoana's death sentence commuted. Sources said the Congress had realised that the Rajoana case was not only an emotive one, but could have widespread political ramifications. The party feels it could also become a Sikh issue and it did not want to be caught on the wrong side of the fence in such an eventuality. They said the Congress had, under the leadership of Capt Amarinder Singh, entrenched itself in the Jat Sikh peasantry and had won most of its seats (31) from the Malwa region in the Assembly elections. They said Rajoana was emerging as a hero among the Jat Sikh peasantry and that it was imperative that the party be seen taking steps to save him from the gallows. The party has, as part of its strategy, involved Beant Singh's family in the issue, with his grandson Gurkirat Kotli saying "he had no objection to Rajoana being given clemency". Amarinder today said he appreciated and endorsed the stand taken by the Beant family. While referring to the recent developments in the aftermath of the court orders directing hanging of Rajoana, the PCC president said, "Beant Singh gave his life for peace in Punjab and the members of his family today are united in their belief that peace must be maintained in the state at all costs."

The Bharatiya Janata Party's state unit today held that the law should be allowed to take its own course in the Beant Singh murder case. The party also ruled out supporting any resolution calling for clemency to former Chief Minister Beant Singh's assassin Balwant Singh Rajoana. The issue was discussed during a meeting of the party's state leaders, office-bearers and newly elected legislators, which was presided over by BJP national vice-president Shanta Kumar and state chief Ashwani Kumar Sharma. There was an overwhelming opinion in the meeting that the laid-down norms should be respected in the case. The Bharatiya Janata Party leaders said the party was against terrorism and its leaders and workers in Punjab had borne the brunt of with former president Hit Abhilashi and youth leader Tarsem Singh Bahar paying with their lives for standing against the menace. The leaders said even in today's context, the party did not want to strengthen the divisive forces in the border state. In the light of this discussion, it was decided that the SAD should be advised not to present any such resolution seeking clemency for Rajoana in the Vidhan Sabha. The leaders, however, expressed confidence in the sagacity of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. A leader pointed out that Badal had admitted that the law could not be bypassed even though he respected the directives of the Akal Takht. The BJP's decision is in line with its earlier policy. The party had earlier also refused to become party to any resolution calling for clemency to Davinderpal Singh Bhullar, who in on death row after being indicted in an assassination attempt on former Indian Youth Congress president Maninderjit Singh Bitta. Meanwhile, the meeting congratulated Punjab election in-charge JP Nadda for the "intense work" put in by him in the state. The leaders said the soothsayers who had predicted a whitewash for the Bharatiya Janata Party had been proved wrong and that the party had been able to retain a substantial hold in the state. They also decided to conduct an exercise to identify the factors that led to the party's defeat in the remaining constituencies. Clergy to review title decision Amritsar: A day after Balwant Singh Rajoana turned down the title of "Zinda Shaheed" (living martyr), Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh on Sunday said the matter would be discussed in the next meeting of the Sikh high priests. Talking to mediapersons here, the Jathedar said, "We respect Rajoana's sentiments and will discuss the issue in the meeting of the Sikh clergy…. The meeting may happen any time keeping in view the sensitivity of the issue." — TNS SIKH HIGH PRIESTS MAY MEET TODAY Amritsar: As the countdown to March 31, the day when Balwant Singh Rajoana is to be hanged, has begun, there are reports that the Sikh high priests may hold yet another meeting in Amritsar on Monday. Sources said Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh has asked the other Sikh high priests to reach the holy city on Monday. However, the points to be discussed in the meeting are likely to become clear only by the morning.

The SAD core committee today moved towards getting former Chief Minister Beant Singh’s assassin Balwant Singh Rajoana’s death sentence commuted to life. It directed the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee to file a clemency appeal before the President immediately. The committee, which met here under the chairmanship of SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal and was attended by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, also asked the Punjab Government to take all steps to secure clemency for Rajoana. Endorsed the steps taken by the government, the panel took note of the fact that the warrants of execution against Rajoana had been returned since it was not legally possible to execute the orders. The core committee said the party was prepared to “go to any extent to secure clemency for Rajoana so that the hard-earned atmosphere of peace and communal harmony in the state was not disturbed.” The Chief Minister said he would make a special statement on the subject in the Assembly tomorrow. The committee appealed to all political parties, organisations, institutions and citizens of the country to extend support for the movement to ensure clemency for Rajoana. Sources said the Chief Minister made it clear in the meeting that his government should not be expected clear the way for Rajoana’s hanging. He said the case pertained to Chandigarh and the Union Territory could not leave it to Punjab. Other members said the Centre should be asked to deal with the case. Former Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh’s statement was also discussed with members calling it a positive development.

Acting swiftly on the directions of the Core Committee of the SAD, Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee has sent petitions seeking clemency for Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana to Ms Pratibha Devi Singh Patil the President of India and Shiv Raj Patil the Governor of Punjab. Copies of the petition have also been sent to Parkash Singh Badal the Chief Minister of Punjab and Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal. Talking to ‘Yes Punjab’ Avtar Singh Makkar, president of the SGPC said that the petitions had been couriered to the President, the Governor, the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister. The SGPC president said that the petition mainly deliberates on the legal lapses in the case and specifically mentions a case pending before the Supreme Court. ‘It is not justified to hang Rajoana as the a petition of Jagtar Singh Hawra, a co-accused is pending in the Supreme Court. What if the Supreme Court decides to acquit Hawara?, 'That's the plea we have given and have sought commutation of his death sentence', he said. Makkar said that a decision to meet the President Ms Pratibha Devi Patil, in person will be taken in consultation with the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister. Asked about a call given by some sikh groups to observe a Bandh in Punjab on 28th of March, Makkar said that as Akal Takht is seized of the matter and Punjab Government and the SGPC have swiftly acted on the ‘Adesh’ given to them, there seems to be no need of a Bandh. He said all this is being done that the peace is not disturbed in the state and all concerned should contribute to maintain peace. ‘The issue of call of Bandh given by some groups will be discussed with Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh’, he said.

Sikh youths taking out a March at Jalandhar on Sunday in support of Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana who is scheduled to be hanged on 31st of March at Patiala Central Jail. The March which started from Gurudwara Singh Sabha Model Town concluded at Gurudwara Guru Nanak Mission. The youth demanded clemency for Bhai Rajoana and justice for Sikhs.

Congress seems to be a house divided over the issue concerning Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana. While CLP leader Sunil Jakhar yesterday maintained that law would take its own course and that the Congress would not be a party to any resolution supporting clemency for Rajoana PCC President Capt Amarinder Singh today endorsed the stand taken by the family of former CM Beant Singh that the death sentence of Rajoana be commuted to life imprisonment. In a statement issued today, Capt Amarinder Singh said the Congress party endorses this view that the death sentence should be commuted to life imprisonment. The former CM also assured all support and cooperation to the state government, whether legal or by way of making an appeal to the President of India, in this regard. Referring to the recent developments in the aftermath of the court orders directing hanging of Rajoana, Capt Amarinder pointed out, “Sardar Beant Singh gave his life for peace in Punjab and the members of his family today are united in their belief that peace must be maintained in the state at all costs”, he said, while disclosing, that they have therefore called for the death sentence to Rajoana be commuted to life imprisonment. Some prominent leaders of the state Congress have chosen to remain silent on the issue as yet.

Terming the peace of the state as ‘too fragile’ to withstand the emotional jolt the state may face if Balwant Singh Rajoana is hanged, Bir Devinder Singh, a former deputy speaker of Punjab Vidhan Sabha, while castigating the Congress and the BJP has said that the state government was involved in ‘simple tactics’ which may not absolve it of its responsibility to save the state of Punjab from the imminent harrowing agony it is bound to suffer in case of execution of Rajoana. Asking SAD to get a resolution passed in Vidhan Sabha for the abolition of capital punishment and urging the Union Government to follow suit, Bir Devinder Singh said. ‘‘The emerging scenario, as I perceive today would be, “Sikhs versus the Indian State”. If the government of India genuinely wishes to salvage the situation, the Governor of Punjab, taking cognizance of such resolution can move the case to the Union Home Ministry but if they still wish to play with fire, so it be’, he said. ‘If both the governments agree to bring in and pass such resolutions, the execution of the death penalty awarded to Balwant Singh Rajoana could could be kept in abeyance till such time’, he suggested. In a statement issued here, Bir Devinder Singh said that although the Superintendent of central jail Patiala has returned the death warrant of Balwant Singh Rajoana taking refuge under the pretext of the territorial jurisdiction of the State to execute the Death warrant, but this simple tactic will be of no use as the state is bound to suffer irrespective of the fact where Rajoana is hanged. He said it does not make any difference whether he is hanged at Patiala, Chandigarh or Delhi. Reacting to the statement of Sunil Jakhar, leader of Congress Legislature Party in Punjab, the former deputy speaker said that it clearly indicates the mindset of the party that further manifests that the party had learned nothing and forgotten nothing. ‘Congress has rather failed miserably to read between the lines and comprehend the dangerously volatile situation emerging as the aftermath of the execution of Balwant Singh Rajoana. In view of the firm, unambiguous and solemn resolve of Balwant Singh Rajoana to embrace the gallows without showing any resilience and the direct involvement of Sri Akal Takht in the matter the situation has become much more complex and cumbersome’, he said. Taking a dig at BJP, Bir Devinder Singh said, ‘Unfortunately the position of BJP, a coalition partner of the Akalis seems to be no better, as they have a morbid mined leader like Shanta Kumar at the helm of the affairs of the party in the state’. Pointing a finger towards Pakistan, Bir Devinder Singh warned that the role of tormented and hostile neighbor, across the Punjab border, should not be under estimated. ‘Pakistan and its agencies are certainly eyeing to take full advantage of the resultantly emerging combustible situation in Punjab’, he said. He reminded that Punjab had been bleeding and suffered immensely during the most excruciating times for more than a decade i.e. from 1983 onwards. Drawing parallels between the situation then and now he said, ‘If the developments in the precincts of Golden Temple and the overactive role of the Akal Takhat is any indication then it is certainly reminiscent to the similar developments way back in 1983’.

Former CM Beant Singh's assassin Balwant Singh Rajoana today appealed to the Akal Takht to take back the tile of 'Zinda Shaheed' (living martyr) bestowed upon him yesterday and to "abolish the title forever". But, he appreciated the decision of honouring Dilawar Singh as 'Kaumi Shaheed'. Also, Rajoana's foster sister Kamaldeep Kaur alleged that a Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) employee approached her claiming that if she agreed, the Jails Department would not hang her brother. The claim, however, has been denied as "baseless" by both the Jails Department and the SGPC. Kamaldeep claimed a Sikh who identified himself as head priest at the Golden Temple in Amritsar visited her house yesterday. "The priest named a senior jail official and said if I agree, the Jails Department will not hang Balwant….But, my brother is firm. He does not want anybody to make efforts to save him from the gallows." The priest said the SGPC will convey this to the official when he visits the Golden Temple on March 30," she said. She also said that Balwant had, in a letter to her (The Tribune has a copy), refused to accept the title. Sources said the meeting between Kamaldeep and Balwant lasted around 10 minutes inside the Patiala Central Jail. The duo, said sources, whispered to each other and Balwant later handed over a two-page letter to her. SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar has denied any such meeting by an SGPC employee.

A day after the Akal Takht issued the "hukumnama" (edict) directing Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar to meet the President to save Balwant Singh Rajoana, Badal preferred to "play safe". Badal, who was in the city today to inaugurate some medical equipments at Government Rajindra Hospital, said, "Akal Takht da hukumnama sar mathe, par sadhi wi kuch dutian han (We respect the directions of the Akal Takht, but the state government has its own duties as well. We are making all efforts." Perturbed over the volley of queries on the issue, the otherwise cool and calm CM appeared a bit irritated. Asked what the state government would do as only six days were to go for the hanging (on March 31), Badal said, "I know better than you. We are doing whatever is required." On the Akal Takht's directive declaring Dilawar Singh, the human bomb who blew himself with Beant Singh as "Kaumi Shaheed" (national martyr of Sikhs), the CM said, "It’s better to ask this question to those, who have announced this." Evading another media query that Akal Takht has declared Balwant Singh Rajoana as "Zinda Shaheed" (living martyr), the reply of Badal was the same. Meanwhile, SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar, who was also in Patiala, said the SGPC would certainly follow the directive of the Akal Takht and would leave no stone unturned to save Rajoana.

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has called an emergency core committee meeting here tomorrow to decide on how to handle the Akal Takth’s “directive” to save ex-Chief Minister Beant Singh’s assassin Balwant Singh Rajoana from the gallows, even as it has roped in legal experts to find a way to delay the imminent hanging. The dominant view emerging is that the state should try its utmost to ensure that Rajoana is not hanged in Punjab, as directed by the courts. This could involve contesting the jurisdiction of the case, which the SAD says is Chandigarh and not Punjab, and waiting for a decision on the pleas of the case co-accused. Rajoana’s family could also be involved to find a solution. The family has said it respects the Akal Takth, indicating it stands by clemency for Rajoana. A last option would be bringing in a resolution in the Vidhan Sabha urging the Centre to grant clemency. The government is also chalking out a strategy to counter hardliners who say that Rajoana be allowed to become a martyr as per his wishes. It also wants to ensure the situation does not get out of hand and is expected to ensure the March 28 bandh does not lead to any law and order problem. Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said the state had sought legal opinion and would deliberate on the Akal Takth’s directive in its core committee meeting tomorrow. He said the government would attempt to ensure peace at all costs. He also praised Beant Singh’s family for saying that it did not have any objection to clemency for Rajoana and termed it a positive development. Sources said the SAD was in a Catch-22 situation. It wanted to steer clear of the issue and had expected the Akal Takth to persuade Rajoana to seek clemency. With this option having failed, the state is now expected to tell the Centre that hanging Rajoana would create a law and order problem as the matter had acquired emotional overtones. Revenue and Rehabilitation Minister Bikram Majithia and former hardliner-turned moderate Virsa Singh Valtoha have set the tone for tomorrow’s core committee meeting by urging Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal not to give a tool to the hardliners to exploit the situation. Meanwhile, the BJP has also called a meeting of its core committee to discuss the Rajoana issue on Sunday. The BJP is said to be uncomfortable in passing a resolution in the Vidhan Sabha urging clemency for Rajoana and, therefore, wanted to take the views of its party legislators. The meeting would be presided over by senior Central leader Shanta Kumar. Exploring the options n Legal experts being roped in, could contest the case jurisdiction n Resolution in Vidhan Sabha also under consideration What lies ahead n The dominant view emerging is that the state should try its utmost to ensure that Rajoana is not hanged in Punjab, as directed by the courts n This could involve contesting the case jurisdiction, which the SAD says is Chandigarh and not Punjab, and waiting for a decision on the pleas of the case co-accused n Rajoana’s family could also be involved as it has said that it respects the Akal Takth, indicating that it stands by clemency for Rajoana n A last option would be bringing in a resolution in the Vidhan Sabha urging the Centre to grant clemency

Congress Legislature Party leader Sunil Jakhar today said law should be allowed to take its own course in former CM Beant Singh's assassination case. Jakhar said the Congress would not be party to any resolution supporting clemency for co-assassin Balwant Singh Rajoana, who is lodged at Patiala jail and is slated to be hanged on March 31. Jakhar's comment assumes significance in the light of Beant Singh's grandson and Congress MLA Gurkirat Singh Kotli's statement that he had no objection in case the government decided to give clemency to Rajoana. The CLP leader claimed the Beant Singh family had indicated to him at a recent meeting that they were also in favour of the law taking its own course in the matter. "They have not indicated their clemency stance, if any, to me even now," he said. However, Jakhar said, he would speak to the family again and take their opinion on the issue. "But, as the CLP leader, I am clear that the law of the land is supreme." He also said that the Akalis should answer what they considered as "disturbing peace" in the state. "Is going beyond the law protecting the peace of the state," he asked. "The Congress will not support any resolution, which stood for bypassing the established laws." On the issue, Kotli said the family stood for peace and did not want the atmosphere of the state to be vitiated on any account. He said the family did not want hardliners to exploit the situation and had, therefore, come out with a statement that it did not have any objection to Rajoana being granted clemency. He said the statement was made keeping in mind that every action in the case would be taken within the ambit of the law of the land. How things unfolded Jan 14, 1996: Balwant arrested by the CBI Jan 22: Balwant produced before Delhi Metropolitan Magistrate to record judicial confession Feb 20: Balwant and accused Shamsher Singh move application, denying earlier confessional statement before the magistrate Dec 24, 1997: Balwant files application narrating in detail the commission of offence; says earlier confession was correct and withdraws his application dated Feb 20, 1996 March 12, 1998: Balwant moves an application saying he does not want to contest the case March 16: Amicus curiae SK Chopra discharged by the court and told not to represent Balwant Aug 10, 2009: Balwant writes to the Chief Justice from the Burail Jail in Chandigarh

Citing several Supreme Court judgments and other legal arguments, the superintendent of the Patiala Central Jail today returned the death warrant of Balwant Singh Rajoana to the court of the Additional Sessions Judge in Chandigarh again. In a letter addressed to Additional Sessions Judge Shalini Singh Nagpal, the jail superintendent has stated that there were legal infirmities in the procedure followed and that Punjab had no territorial jurisdiction in the matter. "It is not possible to execute the warrant of prisoner Balwant Singh, which was sent to the jail vide communication dated March 19, 2012," says the superintendent's letter to the court. The jail authorities have said that "it is the bounden duty of the superintendent of jail to ensure that the procedure established by the law is meticulously followed before executing the death sentence". In reference to this assertion, the jail authorities have cited the Supreme Court's judgment in case of Harbans Singh versus State of UP. The superintendent has referred to the high court rules and orders that when a death sentence is confirmed by the HC, the Sessions Judge would issue the warrant of execution for the sentence to the superintendent of jail to which the prisoner was originally committed. And in case the prisoner had been transferred to another jail, the superintendent to whom the warrant was issued shall return the warrant to the Sessions Judge and a revised warrant has to be issued to the superintendent of jail in which the prisoner is confined. "The warrants for execution of sentence of death were erroneously issued at the first instance to the superintendent of Patiala Central Jail, whereas in accordance with the rules and orders should have been addressed to the superintendent of Burail Jail as the prisoner was originally committed to its custody on July 31, 2007", states the superintendent in the letter. It also says that there has been no jurisdiction in the law of the state of Punjab to execute the death sentence since the offence had taken place within the jurisdiction of the Union Territory of Chandigarh. The trial was also conducted in Chandigarh and the conviction and sentence was also passed by the Additional Sessions Judge there. The letter also refers to the pending appeals of the co-accused Lakhwinder Singh Lakha and Jagtar Singh Hawara in the Supreme Court. "The SC has in several judgments extended the benefit of acquittal or lesser sentence to the other co-accused although they had not filed an appeal", says the superintendent in the letter. "As such it is necessary to await the outcome of the matter in the SC before executing the death warrant." Balwant Singh, who has been sentenced to death in the late Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh murder case, had not filed any appeal in the court to seek the commutation of his sentence. He had also not filed any mercy petition. The Rajoana case has been in the limelight for several days. Various Panthic organisations have built a pressure on the state government led by Parkash Singh Badal to take steps to save Rajoana from the gallows. There are apprehensions that the peace, which was restored after several years in the state by paying a heavy price, can be threatened. Rajoana Hanging The Arguments There has been no jurisdiction in the law of the state of Punjab to execute the death sentence since the offence had taken place within the jurisdiction of the Union Territory of Chandigarh. The trial was also conducted in Chandigarh and the conviction and sentence was also passed by the Additional Sessions Judge there.

The state government is almost certain to send back the orders of the Chandigarh court on hanging Balwant Singh Rajoana to death on March 31, yet again sighting certain technicalities. Sources said the court orders could be sent back in the next two days by state lawyers. Highly placed sources said following a closed-door meeting of the Home Department and the Jails Department, it had been decided that the death warrants re-sent by the Chandigarh court to hang Rajoana be returned without execution for the second time. “The co-accused in the Beant Singh assassination case, Jagtar Singh Hawara, who was also sentenced to death, was later awarded the life sentence by the court in the same case after he filed an appeal. There is no logic in hanging the other accused just because he did not file an appeal. “There cannot be two sentences for the same crime. We will take up the matter in court through proper channels ”, said a senior official after consulting the Advocate- General’s office. Patiala Jail Superintendent LS Jakhar reportedly visited Chandigarh today and discussed the case with senior officials of various departments. “We are absolutely not ready for the hanging,” said a senior jail official. “The matter has been discussed at the highest level and the government is not keen to execute the death penalty”, he added. Insiders say that the Jails Department has not made any preparations for the hanging. Balwant Singh has tied the noose around his neck because he has “no faith in judiciary of this country” and its Constitution. An in-depth analysis of the judicial record carried out by the Tribune reveals that Balwant Singh has on more than one occasion expressed scepticism on the country’s justice delivery system. He has, in fact, cited it as the reason behind his decision against contesting the trial and the death sentence. In a letter to Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court Balwant Singh on August 10, 2009, wrote from Burail Jail’s barrack number 5: “I have already submitted an application to the High Court stating therein that I have not filed any appeal against the death sentence pronounced by the sessions judge, because I have no faith in the judiciary of this country.” He has gone on to add: “The other co-accused, who have been sentenced in this case, have filed an appeal in the High Court because they have faith in the judiciary. Therefore, the case relating to my death penalty may be considered separately. On December 24, 1997, Balwant Singh filed an application “narrating in detail the commission of the offence and also stating that he did not have any faith in the Constitution”. Judicial records reveal that Balwant Singh consciously took the decision to go unrepresented before the trial court. Initially, advocate SK Chopra was appointed amicus curiae in the case. The order sheet of March 12, 1998, reveals Balwant Singh moved an application that he did not want to contest the case. On March 16, 1998, Chopra “was discharged by the court and told to not to represent Balwant Singh as the accused himself did not want to be represented by any counsel and did not want to contest the case”. The Punjab and Haryana High Court Division Bench of Justice Mehtab Singh Gill and Justice Arvind Kumar has also in its judgment referred in detail his refusal to be represented, despite a categorical offer.

The Sikh high priests today issued directions to Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and SGPC Chief Avtar Singh Makkar to meet President Pratibha Patil and make efforts to save Balwant Singh Rajoana, convict in former CM Beant Singh’s assassination, from the gallows. Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh made this announcement after receiving suggestions from various Panthic, social and political organisations throughout the day and subsequently deliberating on them during a meeting of the Sikh clergy. The Jathedar asked the CM and the SGPC president to take all possible measures to get Rajoana released without any condition. He also asked them to make the President aware about the "injustice being meted out to the Sikhs". The Sikh clergy also gave a call for bandh on March 28, though not in a direct manner. They have asked the people to "refrain from work" on March 28 and perform "ardaas" for the "Chardi Kala" (high spirits) of Rajoana. "The men should sport saffron turbans while women should wear saffron dupattas on March 28. The people should also put up saffron flags on their vehicles and commercial establishments to support the cause," they said. The Akal Takht Jathedar also declared Dilawar Singh, assassin of Beant Singh, a "national martyr" and Rajoana a "living martyr". The Sikh clergy lashed out at the government and the judiciary for “resorting to double standards”. "While the death sentence of Kishori Lal, convicted in 1984 anti-Sikh riots, and Dara Singh, convicted in Graham Staines case, were commuted, this was not done in the case of Rajoana," it was stated. They also opposed the capital punishment on humanitarian grounds. "The judiciary should try to award death penalty in minimum cases. Many countries have abolished death sentence and the same should be done here in the interest of humanity," it was stated. Meanwhile, tension prevailed outside the Akal Takh Secretariat while the meeting of the Sikh clergy was on in the evening. Activists of some Panthic outfits started raising slogans against the Akal Takht Jathedar, asking him to announce his decision in front of the gathering outside. Bandh call A group of nine Panthic outfits has given a bandh call for March 28. It has also been announced that Khalsa Marches would start from all three Takhts in Punjab - Akal Takht, Takht Keshgarh Sahib and Takht Damdama Sahib - on March 29. The marches will converge on Patiala, where a dharna will be staged on March 30 and 31.

The Punjab Government seems to be buying time in persuading Balwant Singh Rajoana, the assassin of former CM Beant Singh, to challenge the death sentence against him. The Central Jail, Patiala, on Thursday received the Chandigarh court order telling the authorities to hang Rajoana. The Punjab Jails Department wants the annulment of the 1982 understanding with the Chandigarh administration according to which their condemned prisoners could be lodged in Punjab jails. A meeting of senior Jail Department officials, Chief Secretary’s office and the Accountant General’s office was held today behind closed doors to discuss the matter in detail. The meeting was also attended by the Chief Secretary who would apprise the Chief Minister about the developments. In Patiala, senior jail officials were busy reading the contents of the Chandigarh court’s orders that were received today and held consultations with the Advocate General’s office to find a solution. “An old Supreme Court judgment in a similar case was also discussed at length. A final decision on whether to send the summons back again will be taken after going through the outcome of the meeting summoned by the Akal Takht in Amritsar,” said insiders in the Jail Department. Meanwhile, the Punjab Jails Department DGP Shashi Kant today wrote to the Punjab Home Department urging it to immediately annul the 1982 agreement according to which hardcore criminals could be lodged inside Punjab jails.

Panth Rattan for Baba Harbans Singh Baba Harbans Singh's successor Baba Bachan Singh receives the award. Photo: Vishal Kumar nThe Akal Takht on Tuesday gave the Panth Rattan award to Baba Harbans Singh of Delhi posthumously for his contribution in the field of ‘kar sewa’. Baba’s successor Baba Bachan Singh received the award from the Sikh high priests at the Akal Takht. nApart from religious field, he also contributed immensely to health care and education by constructing buildings for various hospitals and educational institutions. nBorn at Nurpur Thal village of Sargodha district in undivided Punjab in 1920, Baba Harbans Singh started his journey in ‘kar sewa’ from Gurdwara Nankana Sahib in 1943. He passed away last year. Earlier recipients Prior to him, former SGPC chief Gurcharan Singh Tohra, Giani Sant Singh Maskeen, Bhai Jasbir Singh Khalsa Khannewale, Bhai Mohinder Singh GNNSJ from the UK and Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal have been given the prestigious Panth Rattan award.

In a significant move, the Sikh high priests today called an emergency meeting of all religious, social and political organisations on March 23 to evolve a consensus on how to save former Chief Minister Beant Singh’s assassin Balwant Singh Rajoana from gallows. Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh announced the decision after a meeting of the Sikh clergy at the Akal Takht Secretariat here today. Addressing mediapersons, the Jathedar said, “We urge all religious, social, and political organisations, besides Taksals and sects, to send in their suggestions to us in writing through their representatives to the Akal Takht before 11 am on March 23. Subsequently, the Sikh high priests will hold a meeting with the representatives of these outfits at Teja Singh Samundari Hall and announce the decision of the Sikh community after deliberating on the suggestions received from various quarters.” He said these organisations could also seek opinion of legal experts at their own level and suggest the legal recourse that may be adopted by the Sri Akal Takht.

After the Patiala Central Jail authorities returned the execution warrants to hang Beant Singh assassin Balwant Singh, a Chandigarh court today resent his warrants to the jail, stating that Balwant be hanged on March 31 itself as the order to execute his hanging has been upheld by the High Court. The Court of Additional District and Sessions Judge Shalini Nagpal today resent the execution warrants to Patiala jail to hang Balwant Singh on March 31 at 9 am. The same orders were earlier sent on March 10. Jail authorities had returned the death warrant of the Chandigarh court pleading its inability to hang him, since the case, in which the Sikh hardliner has been awarded death sentence, belongs to Chandigarh. While sending the warrants back, jail authorities through a letter pleaded that since the bomb blast that killed Beant Singh on August 31, 1995, in which Balwant was the back-up bomber, had occurred at the Punjab Civil Secretariat in Chandigarh and the trial of that case was also carried out in Chandigarh, there was no point in hanging him in Patiala jail.

Sangat TV smashed it!!

To save the Golden Temple from the ill-effects of pollution, a plan is afoot to prepare “langar” with the help of a solar steam cooking system. The plan is being chalked out by the Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA). A survey by Faridabad-based Max Engineering India Private Limited was carried out in this regard today. The firm’s director, Dr Gurmeet Singh, said the facility would be established in various phases. In the first phase, equipment will be installed to prepare ‘dal’. To prepare “langar” for 50,000 to 60,000 devotees daily at the Golden Temple, one tonne ‘dal’ is cooked. “By cooking ‘dal’ with the help of steam, we will save at least 25 LPG cylinders and also keep the environment pollution-free,” said Gurmeet Singh. PEDA chairman Manjeet Singh said they would bear the entire project cost. Meanwhile, the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee is also planning to make Delhi gurdwaras solar-powered and ‘nagar kirtans’ plastic-free. Making this announcement, on the “Sikh Environment Day”, DSGMC chief Paramjit Singh Sarna said they would ban disposables in all the Delhi gurdwaras soon.

Will the family of slain Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh forgive Balwant Singh Rajoana and appeal to the state not to hang him on March 31? If the behind-the-scenes activities are any indication, Congress MP from Anandpur Sahib, Ravneet Singh Bittu, and his uncle and former Punjab Minister Tej Parkash Singh may issue a joint appeal to save Balwant Singh Rajoana from the gallows. “I have been in touch with them,” says Paramjit Singh Sarna, president of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC). “They say they respect the Sikh sentiments and may issue an appeal that Balwant Singh Rajoana may not be hanged,” says Sarna. Efforts are also being made at other fronts to ensure the decision to hang Balwant Singh is reviewed in time. Balwant Singh has been convicted for the assassination of Beant Singh outside the Punjab Civil Secretariat. Though execution warrants have been issued, Punjab has expressed its inability to carry out the hanging on the plea that hanging warrants have been issued by a Chandigarh court. Sarna says once Beant’s family issues an appeal to convert the death sentence to life imprisonment, the execution of the hanging warrants may be reviewed.