Hanging of Balwant Singh Rajoana stayed

NEW DELHI: The hanging of Balwant Singh Rajoana, assassin of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh, was today 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.