Ludhiana, Punjab (March 31, 2012): Last two days were days of suspicion and rumours. Many Sikh sections believed that the government of India could go to any extent to hang Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana on March 31, 2012. This belief was not a mere baseless suspicion; the track record of Governmt of India supports it. In 1992 Bhai Harjinder Singh (Jinda) and Bhai Sukhdev Singh (Sukha) were scheduled to be hanged on October 9. Both had decided not to appeal against death sentence awarded by Indian Courts. A Chandigarh based Sikh moved a petition to the President of India u/Article 72 of Indian Constitution. The Cabinet of Government of India held a late night meeting on October 8, 1992 to reject the petition and clear the hanging of Bhai Sukha-Jinda. Accordingly they were hanged on October 9, 1992 @ 4 am IST.
Now Sikhs were suspecting that Government of India repeat this again to hang Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana on March 31, 2012. Mass level arrests of Sikh leaders on 28, 29 and 30 March was taken as a bad omen.
The Supreme court of India’s refusal to listen the petition (PIL) moved by an advocate seeking stay of execution of Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana created massive confusion among the masses. As the news regarding SCI’s denial flashed on media, people started saying that the stay installed by Government of India (which was part of procedure to decide the petitions seeking Presidential review) was vacated by the court. The fact is that this stay is still in operation.
On March 30, some people started saying that Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana was transferred to Tihar Jail Delhi, while others were saying that he was transferred to Burail Jail, Chandigarh.
Today, some people started saying that Bhai Rajoana was already executed in Tihal Jail Delhi on March 31 at 9 am, which was scheduled time for hanging at Patiala Jail before stay granted by GOI on March 28.
Now, many sources have confirmed that Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana is in Patiala Jail and is in high spirits.