7.51°C Vancouver

Sep 28, 2022 4:33 PM - ANI

Beant Singh Killing: SC questions Centre for not deciding Rajoana's mercy petition

Share On

The Supreme Court on Wednesday questioned the Central government for not taking any decision so far on the mercy petition of Balwant Singh Rajoana, who was awarded the death sentence for the assassination of the then Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh in 1995.

A bench of Justices Chief Justice UU Lalit, Justices S Ravindra Bhat and PS Narasimha was irked over the Centre not taking any clear stand on the mercy petition despite being given time by the court to do so, and now seeking adjournment in the case.

Earlier in May, the apex court had directed the Centre to decide within two months mercy petition of Balwant Singh Rajoana seeking to commute to life imprisonment the death sentence on the ground of his long incarceration of 26 years.

"We gave you two months. And now, two more months have passed. You raised two technical issues. We told you please don't wait for that," said the bench.

The top court said it could not tell the Centre what decision has to be taken but the government certainly should take a decision in the matter.

It directed a responsible officer from the concerned department to file an affidavit indicating the status in the matter.

Latest news

alberta-says-talks-with-ottawa-continue-as-province-presses-for-new-pipeline-approval
AlbertaNov 14, 2025

Alberta says talks with Ottawa continue as province presses for new pipeline approval

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says the province is encouraged by the federal government’s latest list of major projects flagged for potential fast-track approval, even though a proposed bitumen pipeline sought by her government was not included. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced earlier today that seven additional energy and infrastructure proposals have been sent to the federal major projects office for further review. The projects identified by Ottawa include a nickel mine in northern Ontario, a hydroelectric development near Iqaluit, and two initiatives in northwest British Columbia i
AlbertaNov 14, 2025

Edmonton health officials confirm localized tuberculosis outbreak linked to inner city

Health authorities in Edmonton have confirmed a tuberculosis outbreak after laboratory results linked two inner city patients to the same strain of the disease. The declaration was made in October once testing showed evidence of recent local transmission. According to Alberta Health Services, a total of 12 tuberculosis cases have been identified this year involving individuals connected to the city’s inner core or experiencing homelessness. Three of those cases have been confirmed as sharing the same strain and are now classified within the outbreak. Tuberculosis primarily affects the lungs
burnaby-rcmp-urges-caution-after-five-people-struck-on-local-roads-in-two-days
BCNov 14, 2025

Burnaby RCMP urges caution after five people struck on local roads in two days

Burnaby RCMP is calling on both drivers and pedestrians to take extra care as winter conditions set in, after officers responded to five separate incidents involving cyclists, pedestrians, or scooter users over the past two days. Police say the collisions occurred during dark and rainy periods, conditions that typically lead to reduced visibility on local roads. Cpl. Mike Kalanj said the seasonal weather continues to create higher risks for anyone travelling on or near busy streets. He noted that most of the recent collisions happened in marked crosswalks or bike lanes. Three of the individual
richmond-rcmp-appealing-for-witnesses-after-serious-two-vehicle-collision
BCNov 14, 2025

Richmond RCMP appealing for witnesses after serious two-vehicle collision

Richmond RCMP are asking the public to come forward with any information after a midday collision last month left a motorcyclist in critical condition. Police say the crash happened on October 23 at the intersection of No 4 Road and Odlin Road, an area that sees steady commuter and commercial traffic. According to RCMP, an officer driving through the neighbourhood shortly after 12:00 p.m. came upon the scene involving a grey Yamaha R7 motorcycle and a black Volvo XC90. The motorcyclist was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries and remains in critical condition. Police have not relea
csis-warns-of-chinese-and-russian-espionage-targeting-canadas-arctic-development
CanadaNov 13, 2025

CSIS warns of Chinese and Russian espionage targeting Canada’s Arctic development

Canada’s top intelligence official says foreign spies from China and Russia are actively targeting governments and companies involved in developing the country’s Arctic region. In a national security address on Thursday, Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) director Dan Rogers said his agency has observed sustained intelligence-gathering activities in the North, with both public institutions and private industry being approached or monitored by foreign actors. Rogers noted that non-Arctic countries, particularly China, are seeking to expand their economic and strategic presence in

Related News