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Hindustan Times
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Mohali court acquits BKI chief Hawara in arms case
A Mohali court on Monday acquitted Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) chief Jagtar Singh Hawara of charges related to arms and explosives. Currently serving a life sentence in the then chief minister Beant Singh assassination case, Hawara, who is lodged in Mandoli Jail of Delhi, was presented before the court via videoconferencing. The case was registered under the Arms and Explosives Act by the Kharar police in 2020. In August 2023, the court had framed charges against him under Section 120-B of the IPC, Section 25 of the Arms Act, read with 120-B, and Sections 4 and 5 of the Explosives Act, also read with 120-B. His counsel, advocate Jaspal Singh Manjhpur, said, 'The case was baseless. The police failed to substantiate their claims. Out of the 32 cases registered against him, this was the final one to go to trial. With this acquittal, Hawara is now legally entitled to apply for parole.' Earlier, Hawara's physical production in the court was deferred after a response from the additional superintendent of Mandoli Jail, Delhi, stated that Hawara was classified as a 'high-risk prisoner' and could not be physically produced before the court. On Monday, Hawara was again produced via videoconferencing. The court subsequently informed jail authorities of his acquittal, said advocate Manjhpur. The case registered in Kharar had mentioned that weapons and explosives recovered were planted by Hawara. In January 2024, a local court discharged him in another case registered at the Sohana police station in Mohali, citing insufficient evidence to support charges under the Explosives Act and criminal conspiracy. Hawara has also expressed his desire to be transferred to a jail in Punjab. He has filed a petition in the Supreme Court, asserting that he is a convicted prisoner, and that no criminal case is currently registered against him in Delhi. Since he is serving a life sentence in a case originating from Punjab, he has requested that he be lodged in a jail there. A native of Fatehgarh Sahib district in Punjab, Hawara was arrested on September 21, 1995, and was later convicted for the assassination of former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh. Since his arrest, he has remained continuously in custody and has now been in jail for over 29 years.
Hindustan Times
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Rajoana's mercy petition will not be withdrawn: SGPC
Chandigarh, The SGPC on Saturday said it will not withdraw the mercy petition filed in the case of Balwant Singh Rajoana, a death row convict in the assassination of former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh. A decision in this regard was taken by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee after holding a meeting with legal experts. Rajoana had earlier demanded that the SGPC withdraw its petition concerning him. Speaking to reporters here, Harjinder Singh Dhami, the president of the apex gurdwara body, said all the legal experts believed that the mercy petition should not be withdrawn and the legal battle should be carried on. "All lawyers gave their view that the petition should not be withdrawn. We should see what the government's stand is on it," said Dhami. Taking no decision on the petition by the successive governments at the Centre was not right. This is a very serious matter and it is important to form an opinion on it, said Dhami. He said the SGPC has been fighting a legal battle in this regard for a long time, but the successive governments "inaction" in this matter reflects "violation of human rights". Prominent among those who participated in the meeting were senior advocates Puran Singh Hundal, G S Bal, Amar Singh Chahal, Rajwinder Singh Bains, Sikh scholar Kehar Singh and former IAS officer Kahan Singh Pannu. Former chief minister Beant Singh and 16 others were killed in a blast at the entrance of the civil secretariat in Chandigarh on August 31, 1995. A special court sentenced Rajoana to death in July 2007. A mercy petition under Article 72 of the Constitution was moved by the SGPC on his behalf in March 2012. The Supreme Court in January this year had asked the Centre to take a decision on the petition. The bench was hearing the plea seeking directions to commute his death sentence to a life term due to the "inordinate delay" in deciding his mercy petition. The SGPC has also been seeking the release of other Sikh prisoners, including Devinderpal Singh Bhullar, a 1993 Delhi bomb blast convict.
Hindustan Times
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Will seek community's consensus on withdrawing Rajoana's mercy plea: SGPC
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Monday announced that it will seek the Sikh community's consensus before deciding on withdrawing the 2012 mercy petition filed on behalf of Balwant Singh Rajoana, a death row convict in CM Beant Singh's assassination case. The statement comes a day after an SGPC delegation met Rajoana at Central Jail Patiala. SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami on Monday said discussions with leaders from various Sikh organisations, Nihang bodies, Sikh seminaries and traditional sects regarding the matter were held where it was suggested that a public consensus is essential before taking any decision on the withdrawal of the petition. 'Therefore, a representative Sikh gathering from across the world will be convened soon,' Dhami said. Rajoana, a former Punjab Police constable, was sentenced to death in 2007 for his role as a backup bomber in the suicide attack in Chandigarh on August 31, 1995, that killed former CM Beant Singh and 16 others. In 2012, Rajoana was scheduled for execution, but it was stayed after the SGPC filed a mercy plea on his behalf for commutation of the death sentence. Over the years, successive governments have cited national security concerns and the delicate political environment in Punjab as reasons for the delay in deciding the plea. Dhami further said during his recent meeting with Rajoana, the latter had requested the SGPC to withdraw the petition and had urged for a prompt decision. 'It is unfortunate that even after so much time, the government has maintained a negative attitude towards the mercy plea. The issue of the petition is no longer solely the SGPC's concern but that of the entire Sikh community. SGPC cannot move forward on this matter without consulting the Sikh Panth. Based on the suggestions received during today's meeting, a representative Sikh gathering will be called soon,' he said.
Indian Express
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Mohali court issues production warrant against Beant Singh assassination convict Hawara in explosives case
In a significant development, the Mohali district court has issued a production warrant against Jagtar Singh Hawara, a key figure of Babbar Khalsa International who is currently serving a life sentence for the assassination of former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh. The warrant was issued after Hawara, lodged in Delhi 's Mandoli Jail, was not produced during a scheduled hearing in a 2005 case registered at the Kharar police station. Taking serious note of the jail authorities' negligence, the court has now directed that Hawara be produced via video conferencing on May 8. The court has warned that repeated delays in appearance will not be tolerated. The case, filed under the Explosive Substances Act, 1908 and the Arms Act, named Hawara along with others. However, at that time, no explosives or weapons were recovered from Hawara, nor was he arrested in connection with the case. Earlier, Hawara was acquitted last year in a 1998 case involving serious charges under the IPC sections 153A (promoting enmity), 124A (sedition), 225, 120B, and 511. Similarly, he has received relief from the courts in two sedition and explosives-related cases in Chandigarh. Hawara has also filed a petition in the Supreme Court requesting to be shifted to a Punjab jail, stating that there are no pending cases in Delhi, and that he is serving a sentence in a case registered in Punjab. Claiming Fatehgarh Sahib as his native district, he argues he should be lodged in a Punjab-based prison. Hawara has been behind bars since his arrest on September 21, 1995, marking nearly 29 years in custody. He was convicted of masterminding the assassination of Beant Singh, and is serving a life term. Protest for his release continues in Mohali For the past two years, Qaumi Insaaf Morcha has been staging a sit-in protest at YPS Chowk in Mohali, demanding Hawara's release and his transfer to a Punjab jail. The protest also calls for the release of several other political prisoners. The demonstration has seen two confrontations with the Chandigarh Police. Initially, the protesters had blocked the road leading from YPS Chowk to Chandigarh. However, following a court directive, the police managed to open one side of the road, where the protest still continues.
Hindustan Times
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
{2005 case} Kharar court issues production warrant against Hawara
A Kharar court has issued a production warrant against Babbar Khalsa terrorist Jagtar Singh Hawara — who is serving life term in the assassination of then Punjab chief minister Beant Singh in 1995 — in a case registered under the Explosive Substances Act and the Arms Act at the Kharar police station in 2005. The warrant was issued by the court of the additional district and sessions judge, Kharar, during a hearing on Saturday after officials from Mandoli Jail in Delhi failed to present Hawara via video conferencing. The court also issued notices to jail authorities, directing that Hawara be produced through video conferencing on May 8. A case was registered against Hawara and others at the Kharar police station in 2005 under Sections 3, 4, and 5 of the Explosive Substances Act, 1908, and the Arms Act. At the time, Hawara was neither arrested nor any recovery was made from him. Hawara is currently lodged in a Delhi prison. In its response to the court, Mandoli Central Jail officials stated that Hawara has been classified as an 'A-category' prisoner, and it is not feasible to produce him physically in the court. Earlier, Hawara was discharged by the court of the additional district and sessions judge in a case registered at Sohana police station in 1998 under Sections 124A, 153A, 225, 511, and 120B of the Indian penal Code. In both cases, the police had marked his arrest via video conferencing in 2022. Hawara has expressed his desire to be transferred to a Punjab jail. He filed a petition in the Supreme Court some time ago contending that he is a convicted prisoner and no case is currently registered against him in Delhi. He is serving a life sentence in a case registered in Punjab. A native of Fatehgarh Sahib district in Punjab, Hawara was arrested on September 21, 1995, and was later convicted in the assassination of former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh. Since his arrest, he has remained in custody and has now been in jail for over 29 years.
