Now Reading: Punjab CM’s parole plea for Beant Singh assassin contradicts own govt’s earlier opposition
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Punjab CM’s parole plea for Beant Singh assassin contradicts own govt’s earlier opposition
Punjab CM’s parole plea for Beant Singh assassin contradicts own govt’s earlier opposition
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has written to Governor Gulab Chand Kataria seeking 10-day parole for Jagtar Singh Hawara, convicted for the 1995 assassination of former chief minister Beant Singh. Hawara’s lawyer…
The Story in Brief
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has written to Governor Gulab Chand Kataria seeking 10-day parole for Jagtar Singh Hawara, convicted for the 1995 assassination of former chief minister Beant Singh. Hawara’s lawyer cited his ailing mother and 29 years of custody without prior parole. However, India Today has accessed a February 2026 letter from the Punjab Jail Department that opposed Hawara’s parole, citing 25 criminal cases against him and adverse police reports. The department had forwarded his application to Tihar authorities with an “unfavourable” recommendation. The reversal has sparked political debate as Hawara remains a contentious figure linked to Sikh militancy.
The Indian Opinion
The Mann government’s flip on Jagtar Singh Hawara’s parole, first opposing it, now seeking it on humanitarian grounds, raises questions of consistency and political calculus. With the SAD-BJP alliance speculation growing, the timing feels opportunistic rather than principled. Compassion for an ailing mother is universal, but selective compassion undermines trust. The test lies in whether the government applies the same standard to all prisoners or only those with political weight. Will the Punjab government clarify its policy on parole for convicts linked to militancy, or will this remain a case-by-case favour?
Sources (2): newindianexpress.com, indiatoday.in
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
