SC grants Centre 4 weeks to decide on Balwant Singh Rajoana’s mercy petition

The Supreme Court Monday adjourned by four weeks the hearing on the plea by Balwant Singh Rajoana seeking commutation of his death sentence for the assassination of former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh.

A Special Bench of Justices B R Gavai, P K Mishra and K V Viswanathan adjourned it after the Centre sought more time to process a mercy plea filed for him.

Terming it a sensitive matter, Additional Solicitor General K M Nataraj appearing for the Centre said it had been receiving inputs on the matter but more is needed. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said other agencies will have to be consulted.