Beant Singh Murder Case: Hearing on Convict's Jail Transfer Plea Postponed

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The Supreme Court hearing on Jagtar Singh Hawara's petition to transfer him from Tihar Jail in Delhi to a jail in Punjab has been postponed. A bench led by Justice BR Gavai adjourned the matter at the request of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Chandigarh administration.

Background

Hawara is serving a life sentence for his involvement in the murder of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh. His counsel argued that Hawara's transfer to a Punjab jail would allow him to meet his 14-year-old daughter and attend a pending case in Punjab. Hawara's conduct in jail has been reported as good, and the Punjab Director General of Prisons had recommended his transfer in 2016.

Opposition from Punjab Government

The Punjab government strongly opposed Hawara's petition, stating that he could only be transferred to Chandigarh, where his trial took place. The Advocate General of Punjab informed the court that Hawara had previously filed a similar petition in the Delhi High Court in 2018, which was dismissed.

Court's Notice

The Supreme Court has sought responses from the Central Government, Delhi Government, and Chandigarh Administration on Hawara's petition. Hawara's escape from Burail Jail in 2004 and his subsequent rearrest were also highlighted during the hearing.

Case Details

Hawara was sentenced to death in 2007 for his role in Beant Singh's murder, but his sentence was commuted to life imprisonment by the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 2010. The prosecution's appeal against the verdict is pending in the Supreme Court.