Expedite Rajoana's mercy plea: SC directs President's office to decide on plea in 2 weeks
PTC News Desk: The Supreme Court on Monday has directed the President's office to take a decision on mercy petition of the death-row prisoner Balwant Singh Rajoana within two weeks. The next hearing in matter is scheduled to take place on December 5.
"In spite of the matter being specifically kept today, none appeared for the Union of India. The bench assembled only for this case," the court said.
"On the last date, the matter was adjourned to enable the Union to take instructions from the office of the President as to when the mercy plea will be decided. Taking into consideration that the petitioner is on death row, we direct the secretary to the President of India to place the matter before the President with a request to consider the same within two weeks from today," it added.
The court further stated that it will take into consideration the mercy petition of Rajoana if President's office fails to take a decision on it. We clarified that in the event no decision is taken, we will consider prayers made by petitioner for interim relief," the court said.
Earlier in September, the apex court directed both Centre and Punjab government to submit their responses in the matter. On May 3 last year, the Supreme Court refused to commute his death sentence, directing the competent authority to address his mercy plea.
- PTC NEWS
