CHANDIGARH, Punjab—After having a difficult time finding a hangman, the Punjab Jails Department has now officially refused to obey the order by Chandigarh’s Additional District and Sessions Judge Shalini Nagpal demanding Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana be hung till death.
The Chandigarh based court had passed an order asking Patiala based Central prison to hang Bhai Rajoana for his involvement in the execution of genocidal master mind Beant Sinh, former Punjab Chief Minister.
As per the officials of Punjab Jails Department, if Bhai Rajoana’s execution is to be carried out, it must be done at the Burail Jail as he was convicted of a crime in Chandigarh. Bhai Rajoana is being lodged in Patiala as per a 1983 agreement that Punjab has with Chandigarh—but this agreement has no provision for carrying out execution orders.
Bhai Rajoana has been adamant about his death sentence and has refused to file an appeal in court, saying that the Indian justice system is corrupt. He admitted his involvement in Beant Sinh’s assassination and has requested the court to carry out his death sentence. He has also refused to meet with any lawyers or cross check any witnesses.
The news of Bhai Rajoana’s execution became a viral hit in newspapers and social networks across the world. A petition was also lodged online which gained wide popularity within a matter of hours. Although now it appears that the execution will be cancelled or at least delayed, it will put the Chandigarh Court in a dilemma as it will have to overrule its previous decision. A possibility is that it will commute the death sentence to life imprisonment (similar to the case of Jathedar Bhai Jagtar Singh Hawara), but this will be against the will of Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana. If the execution is carried out, it will definitely malign the name of Shiromani Akal Dal (B), the ruling party of Punjab.
Over the past few days, several political parties and leaders have come out in support of Bhai Rajoana. Leaders of Sant Samaj, including Baba Harnaam Singh Dhumma and Baba Hari Singh (Randhawa), tried to meet Bhai Rajoana in jail but their request was outright rejected as Bhai Rajoana coined their attempts as “selfish.” SGPC member Karnail Singh Panjoli also failed to secure an meeting.
