Jagtar Singh Hawara parole plea: Punjab Governor recommends release on humanitarian grounds

Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria on Thursday said he has recommended the case of Jagtar Singh Hawara, who is serving a life sentence for the assassination of former chief minister Beant Singh, for parole so that he can meet his ailing mother.

Kataria's statement came a day after Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann sought his intervention for granting parole to Hawara.

Governor recommends parole on humanitarian grounds

"His (Hawara) mother is unwell. We have recommended that case on humanitarian grounds," Kataria said while speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the 'Har Ghar Tiranga-Walkathon'.

Mann had on Wednesday backed parole for Hawara, saying his ailing mother had a "renewed hope" of meeting her son after 31 years.

The Chief Minister had said Kataria, who is also the Chandigarh administrator, assured him that he would take up the matter with the Union home secretary. Mann had earlier written to Kataria recommending 10-day parole for Hawara on humanitarian grounds.

Ravneet Singh Bittu backs parole plea

Former Union minister and BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu, the grandson of Beant Singh, has also supported Hawara's parole request on humanitarian grounds.

Bittu said Hawara's elderly and unwell mother should not have to suffer for her son's actions. He expressed hope that the competent authorities would examine the matter promptly and take an appropriate decision in accordance with the law.

While reiterating that his family would always honour Beant Singh's "supreme sacrifice", Bittu said compassion, humanity and peace should guide society forward.

High Court had sought time-bound decision

The development comes weeks after the Punjab and Haryana High Court directed authorities at Delhi's Mandoli prison, where Hawara is lodged, to decide his parole application within a stipulated timeframe.

The court had also asked the authorities to seek recommendations from the Chandigarh administration before taking a decision on the plea.

Hawara serving life sentence in Beant Singh assassination case

Hawara was initially sentenced to death, but the sentence was later commuted by the High Court. He is currently serving a life sentence in connection with the blast at the entrance of the Civil Secretariat in Chandigarh on August 31, 1995.

The blast killed former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh and 16 others.