The Supreme Court on Monday has stated that it will hear the petition of Balwant Singh Rajoana, convicted in the Beant Singh assassination case, on November 18.
Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, who appeared for Rajoana, stated that the mercy petition has been pending with the President of India for over 12 years.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the central government said that that they would file a response in the case.
The top court bench of Justices BR Gawai, PK Mishra, and KV Vishwanathan scheduled the next hearing for November 18.
Rajoana has requested a commutation of his death sentence to life imprisonment, citing excessive delays in deciding his mercy petition.
Last year, on May 3, the Punjab Police ex-constable was denied relief when his plea for commutation was rejected.
In his petition, Rajoana pointed out that he has already served 38 years and 8 months, including 17 years as a death row convict.
He argued that the Supreme Court had directed the competent authority over a year ago to decide on his mercy plea.
The petition emphasizes that the prolonged uncertainty surrounding his fate has caused him immense mental anguish, violating his right to life as enshrined under Article 21.
