6.1°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

canada-sees-job-growth-in-december-but-unemployment-rate-climbs-to-6-8-per-cent
CanadaJan 09, 2026

Canada sees job growth in December, but unemployment rate climbs to 6.8 per cent

Canada added jobs for a fourth straight month in December, but the national unemployment rate rose to 6.8 per cent as more people entered the labour force, according to new data released by Statistics Canada on Friday. The figures highlight growing pressure in the labour market despite continued employment gains. The federal agency reported that the economy added 8,200 jobs in December. Over the past four months, employment has increased by a combined 188,800 positions, suggesting steady hiring momentum across parts of the economy. However, the unemployment rate rose as the number of people ac
northern-mla-sheldon-clare-enters-race-for-b-c-conservative-leadership
BCJan 09, 2026

Northern MLA Sheldon Clare enters race for B.C. Conservative leadership

B.C. Conservative MLA Sheldon Clare has announced he is seeking the party’s leadership, saying he wants to prevent former members of the provincial Liberals from reshaping the party’s direction. Clare, who represents Prince George–North Cariboo, said he has observed what he described as growing pressure from former B.C. Liberal figures to gain influence within the Conservatives. He argued that approach reflects a political model he believes has already failed in the province and does not align with the party’s principles. In outlining his reasons for running, Clare said he wants to ens
chrystia-freeland-formally-resigns-as-mp-triggering-toronto-byelection
CanadaJan 09, 2026

Chrystia Freeland formally resigns as MP, triggering Toronto byelection

Former finance minister Chrystia Freeland’s resignation from the House of Commons takes effect today, ending more than a decade representing the Toronto riding of University–Rosedale. Freeland is leaving federal politics to take on a voluntary advisory role with the Ukrainian government focused on economic development. Her departure reduces the Liberal caucus to 170 seats, leaving Prime Minister Mark Carney two seats short of a majority in the 338 seat House of Commons. Opposition parties collectively now hold 172 seats, including 142 Conservatives, 22 Bloc Québécois MPs, seven New Democ
surrey-police-issue-five-excessive-speeding-tickets-in-one-morning-most-in-construction-zones
CanadaJan 08, 2026

Surrey police issue five excessive speeding tickets in one morning, most in construction zones

Surrey Police Service officers issued five excessive speeding tickets during a single morning of enforcement this week, with the majority occurring in active construction zones, according to police. Road Safety Unit officers conducted targeted enforcement on January 7, focusing on areas where road work was underway. Police say four of the five tickets were issued in construction zones, including one case where a driver was allegedly travelling at 102 kilometres per hour in a posted 30 kilometre per hour zone. Police say speeding remains one of the leading causes of serious crashes, and constru
atmospheric-river-expected-to-bring-heavy-rain-snow-and-strong-winds-to-b-c-s-north-coast
BCJan 08, 2026

Atmospheric river expected to bring heavy rain, snow and strong winds to B.C.’s north coast

An incoming atmospheric river is expected to bring significant rain, snow and high winds to British Columbia’s north coast, prompting multiple weather warnings from Environment Canada. Forecasters say coastal communities including Prince Rupert, Terrace and Kitimat could receive up to 100 millimetres of rain beginning late Thursday and continuing into Saturday morning. The rainfall raises concerns about localized flooding, particularly in low-lying and drainage-prone areas. Inland travel routes are also expected to be affected. Environment Canada warns that sections of major highways could s

Related News