Punjab jail returns death warrant of Beant's assassin

New Delhi: In a new twist to the controversy over execution of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh's co-assassin Balwant Singh Rajoana, the Patiala Jail superintendent has returned his death warrant yet again, citing legal weaknesses.

The police claimed that the issue is not within the jurisdiction of Punjab. Balwant Singh Rajoana was convicted of killing Chief Minister Beant Singh and 17 others in 1995.

He is scheduled to be hanged on March 31. Divergent opinions have emerged from within the Sikh community on his clemency. The Sikh groups want Chief Minister Badal to seek clemency for Rajoana.

The Jail Superintendent has returned the death warrant to the court of Additional session's judge in Chandigarh.