Sri Akal Takht Jathedar, SGPC Chief meets Rajoana in Patiala Jail, seeks early decision on long-pending case
Babushahi Bureau
Patiala (Punjab), September 29, 2026: Sri Akal Takht Sahib Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj, Takht Sri Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Tek Singh and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami met death-row convict Balwant Singh Rajoana at Central Jail, Patiala, on Tuesday.
The delegation enquired about Rajoana’s health and well-being during the meeting. SGPC executive committee member Surjit Singh Garhi was also present.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, Giani Gargajj said the authorities should take an early decision on Rajoana’s long-pending case, taking into account his stated position and wishes.
The Jathedar said Rajoana had made it clear that he was not seeking a pardon and that he did not want mercy as a personal concession. He also claimed that the Centre had not implemented its 2019 proposal concerning Rajoana despite the passage of more than six years.
The issue has remained before the courts and the Union government for years. The SGPC had filed a mercy petition on Rajoana’s behalf in 2012. In 2019, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs had proposed commuting his death sentence to life imprisonment, but the proposal was not implemented. The Supreme Court in 2023 left the matter to the Centre for an appropriate decision.
Rajoana recently wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking a final decision on his mercy petition, stating that he had remained in prison for decades without knowing the outcome of the case.
Giani Gargajj said Rajoana was in good spirits and remained connected with his faith. He also said Rajoana had expressed concern over the situation of Jagtar Singh Hawara, particularly regarding his reported inability to obtain parole to meet his elderly mother.
The Jathedar said that if there was no timely decision in Rajoana’s case, a meeting of the five Sikh high priests would be convened to consider the next course of action in accordance with Rajoana’s wishes.
He also extended support from Sri Akal Takht Sahib to a march scheduled for October 2 seeking the release of Sikh prisoners, saying that issues concerning their human rights should receive wider attention.
SGPC seeks early disposal of petition
Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami said Rajoana had specifically sought an early resolution of the petition filed by the SGPC.
According to Dhami, Rajoana reiterated during the meeting that he was not seeking an apology for his actions and wanted a final decision on the long-pending matter.
Dhami said the SGPC would continue to pursue the cases of Rajoana, Jagtar Singh Hawara and other Sikh prisoners. He added that the final decision on the community’s future course of action would be taken by the five Sikh high priests.
The meeting comes amid renewed attention to Rajoana’s long-pending mercy plea. In April this year, the Supreme Court had directed the Centre to file its response to a plea concerning the delay in deciding the mercy petition.