Umesh Dewan, Tribune News Service
Patiala, March 19. Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh along with Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib Jathedar Giani Tarlochan Singh today met Balwant Singh Rajoana, who is on death row in the Beant Singh assassination case, at Patiala Central Jail.
Gurbachan Singh asked Rajoana to reconsider the issue of filing a petition against the death penalty. The meeting lasted for about half-an-hour.
Kamaldeep Kaur, Rajoana’s foster sister, who was also present, said Rajoana had told Gurbachan Singh that he would not file any appeal. Gurbachan Singh presented two bottles of water taken from the Golden Temple sarovar to Rajoana.
“Before his execution, Rajoana will take bath with the holy water. The Jathedar also gave Rajoana some clothes which the latter would wear on the day of hanging,” said Kamaldeep.
Meanwhile, the deadlock continues over the execution of Rajoana by the Punjab Police on March 31 as has been announced by a Chandigarh Court. Sources said the Patiala jail authorities had returned the death warrant, stating that the case in which Rajoana had been awarded death penalty belonged to the Union Territory of Chandigarh.
“The decision to return the death warrant was taken after deliberations with legal experts and state government officials,” said the sources.
