Sgpc Sends Petitions To President, Governor

[Azaad]

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.