The hanging of Balwant Singh Rajoana assassin of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh was on Wednesday stayed by the Centre following a mercy petition Sources in the government said that the hanging which was scheduled to be carried out on March 31 has been stayed following a petition filed by SGPC the Sikh religious body.
The sources said the decision to keep the hanging in abeyance was taken since a petition was filed in line with the guidelines followed in such cases.
The scheduled hanging of Rajoana had got the politics of Punjab in a turmoil with the ruling Akali Dal campaigning against his execution while its coalition partner BJP disfavouring such a course The state Congress leaders at a personal level had been favouring clemency.
–Agencies