Chandigarh, August 12: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday met Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and sought his intervention for granting 10-day parole to Jagtar Singh Hawara, a convict in the assassination case of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh, on humanitarian grounds.
Mann said Hawara’s mother is in poor health and has renewed hope of meeting her son after more than three decades. He urged the Governor to consider the request at the earliest, saying the matter requires his recommendation as it concerns Chandigarh, where the case is being dealt with.
“Jagtar Singh Hawara has been lodged in Burail Jail, Chandigarh, for the last 31 years. His mother is old and suffering from age-related health issues and is currently semi-conscious,” Mann said after meeting Kataria.
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“In view of her deteriorating health condition, I have requested the Governor to kindly consider granting 10 days’ parole to Jagtar Singh Hawara at the earliest so that he can meet his mother,” he added.
Mann also assured the Governor that the Punjab Government would take full responsibility for maintaining law and order if Hawara is allowed to visit his home.
“The state government takes full responsibility for the law and order situation in the wake of Jagtar Singh Hawara’s visit to his home. His supporters and family members have also assured their full support to the state government in this regard,” Mann said.
He said the government remained committed to preserving peace in Punjab and would extend all cooperation in pursuing the matter with the Centre.
“The state government is fully committed to maintaining law and order and protecting the hard-earned peace of Punjab. No stone will be left unturned for this noble cause,” the Chief Minister said.
Explaining the constitutional and administrative aspect of the request, Mann said, “Being the administrator of Chandigarh, the recommendation of the Governor is necessary for a decision in this regard.”
“Therefore, considering the humanitarian aspect of the matter and the deteriorating health condition of Jagtar Singh Hawara’s mother, I have urged the Governor to take a decision at the earliest,” he added.
Hawara, a member of the banned militant organisation Babbar Khalsa, was convicted for his role as a conspirator in the 1995 assassination of Beant Singh. The suicide bombing in Chandigarh killed Beant Singh and 17 others.
Hawara was sentenced to death in 2007. The Punjab and Haryana High Court later commuted his death sentence to life imprisonment in 2010.
