Supreme Court Delays Decision on Balwant Singh Rajoana's Mercy Petition
Supreme Court Delays Decision on Balwant Singh Rajoana's Mercy Petition
The Supreme Court of India has temporarily halted its earlier decision regarding the mercy petition of Balwant Singh Rajoana, a death-row prisoner. Initially, the court had directed the President's secretary to present Rajoana's petition to the President within two weeks. However, the Central government, represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, requested the court to reconsider, stating that the file was with the Home Ministry. The court agreed to review the case on November 25.
Rajoana was sentenced to death for his involvement in the assassination of Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh in 1995. His plea for mercy, citing a significant delay in decision-making, remains pending. Rajoana's lawyer, Mukul Rohatgi, argued for his release, highlighting his 29-year imprisonment, including 17 years on death row. The Centre had previously decided to commute his sentence to life imprisonment in 2019, but this has not been enacted.
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Supreme Court
The Supreme Court is the highest court in India. It makes important decisions about laws and justice in the country.
Mercy Petition
A mercy petition is a request to reduce or cancel a punishment, usually for someone on death row. It is often sent to the President or a high court.
Balwant Singh Rajoana
Balwant Singh Rajoana is a person who was sentenced to death for being involved in the killing of a Chief Minister of Punjab in 1995.
Death-row inmate
A death-row inmate is someone who has been sentenced to death by a court and is waiting for the execution of their sentence.
Assassination
Assassination means killing someone important or famous, usually for political reasons.
Punjab Chief Minister
The Chief Minister of Punjab is the head of the government in the Indian state of Punjab. Beant Singh was the Chief Minister who was killed in 1995.
Central government
The Central government is the national government of India, which makes decisions for the whole country. It is different from state governments.
Home Ministry
The Home Ministry is a part of the Central government in India. It deals with internal security, police, and other important matters.
Commutation
Commutation is when a punishment is changed to a less severe one. For example, changing a death sentence to life imprisonment.
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