March 19, 2012

Patiala, Punjab (March 19, 2012): As per recent media reports, the Central Jail, Patiala authorities have returned the "balck or death warrant" of Chandigarh Court directing execution of Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana on March 31, 2012. The authorities are reproted to have pleaded their inability to execute the hanging orders since the death sentence was awarded to Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana by a court whose jurisdiction falls outside the State of Punjab. It is notable that Chandigarh is a territory that is under the control of Central Government of India.