Punjab CM Recommends Parole for Convict in Beant Singh Assassination Case

CHANDIGARH, Aug 8: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has written to Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, recommending 10-day parole for Jagtar Singh Hawara, who is serving a life sentence in connection with the 1995 assassination of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh.

In his communication to the Governor, who also serves as the Chandigarh Administrator, Mann cited the deteriorating health of Hawara’s elderly mother and urged that his request be considered on humanitarian grounds.

Mann noted that Hawara’s mother is suffering from age related health problems and said her condition has become a matter of concern. He also referred to a petition filed by Hawara before the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking parole.

The Chief Minister said the High Court had directed the concerned authorities to consider the parole application in a time bound manner after obtaining the required recommendations from the Chandigarh Administration.

Mann appealed to the Governor to approve the 10 day parole at the earliest, stressing that the request was linked to the declining health of Hawara’s mother.

The development comes days after a delegation of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Punar Surjit) met Kataria and requested his intervention in facilitating Hawara’s meeting with his mother.

Hawara, who was initially awarded the death penalty, later had his sentence commuted by the High Court. He is currently serving imprisonment for the remainder of his life in the case concerning the August 31, 1995, blast near the Punjab Civil Secretariat in Chandigarh.

The attack killed Beant Singh and 16 other people. Hawara was convicted in the case and remains incarcerated at Mandoli prison in Delhi.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court had last month asked the authorities concerned to take a decision on his parole plea within the prescribed timeframe.