NEW DELHI—The Supreme Court of India has asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to provide its response to a petition filed by Bhai Jagtar Singh Hawara, Jathedar of Babbar Khalsa, India, challenging his conviction and life imprisonment. Bhai Jagtar Singh Hawara, alleged mastermind, was convicted in the Beant “Singh” assassination case of 1995 where a group of Sikhs executed the then CM in order to stop him from his continued genocide.
Although Jathedar Bhai Hawara’s death penalty was commuted to life imprisonment, the CBI had asked the Supreme Court to overrule this sentence. It was stated that Bhai Hawara should be sentenced to death since his case was “rarest-of-the-rare”.
The CBI remains opposed to the High Court’s order to commute Bhai Jagtar Singh Hawara’s death sentence to life imprisonment. It has alleged that like Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana, Bhai Hawara should be given a death sentence too.
Unlike the case of Bhai Rajoana, where Chief Minister Parkash Badal requested a mercy plea without his will, Bhai Jagtar Singh Hawara has refused to file a similar petition to the President of India. He has however continued to fight his case.
There is a need for Sikhs and all Panthik organisations to carefully monitor the case of Bhai Hawara and make sure CBI’s demands are not met by the court.
