The mastermind behind the assassination, Hawara had reportedly arranged finances and explosives for the human bomb Dilawar Singh who blew himself up near then chief minister Beant Singh, while Balwant Singh, a policeman, had smuggled the human bomb into the secretariat building. Hawara also masterminded the escape of four accused from the Burail jail in 2004. He was later re-arrested on June 8, 2005.

Reacting to the death sentence with the permission of the judge, Balwant Singh said: “Judge saab, I don’t have any grudge against you for the sentence you have awarded me. I won’t move any court challenging your order.” Hawara reportedly also nodded in agreement.

Three others convicted in the case, Gurmeet, Lakhwinder and Shamsher Singh, were awarded life imprisonment for their involvement in the criminal conspiracy, while the sixth accused, Naseeb Singh, was given 10 years of imprisonment under the Explosives Act along with a fine of Rs 10,000. However, since Naseeb had already undergone more than the sentence awarded to him, he was freed soon after the sentencing.

The Judge began by placing the five accused into two categories according to the role played by them in the assassination. “As per the principles laid down by Hon’ble apex court in the state of Tamil Nadu versus Nalini, the accused can be divided into two categories keeping in view their role in planning and execution,” declared Sondhi.

The court placed in the first category Jagtar Singh Hawara and Balwant Singh for being part of the nucleus which took the decision to assassinate Beant Singh and master-minded it. The rest of the accused were placed in the second category of those who joined the conspiracy by inducement or instigation.

The court said Hawara and Balwant Singh first agreed to kill Beant Singh and then made use of the remaining accused by playing with their religious sentiments in the backdrop of the prevailing situation in Punjab at that time.

Prayers & no unbroken nib

• Sikh bodies such as the Dal Khalsa, Akal Federation, etc, decided to assemble at Akal Takht on August 4 to offer their prayers for those convicted.

• The nib of the pen which wrote the death sentence was not broken in the open court as is the convention since the judge had to pen down certain other observations.

• Defence counsels challenged M S Bitta, President of All India Anti Terrorist Front, to an open debate accusing him of leveling false allegations against them.

• Relatives of the guilty were allowed to meet them before the sentencing as per the directive of the Judge.

Chronology of events

• August 31,1995: Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh and 17 others assassinated by human bomb Dilawar Singh outside Punjab and Haryana Civil Secretariat

• September 1995: Chandigarh police recover an abandoned Ambassador car with Delhi registration number, which leads to arrest of Lakhwinder Singh, following a clue given by a painter

• September 1995: Gurmeet Singh, an engineer with BPL, arrested following disclosure of Lakhwinder Singh

• February 19,1996: Challan to Sessions Court, Chandigarh, against 12 persons, including three absconders

• February 19, 1996: 3 NRIs Manjinder Singh Grewal (England), Resham Singh (Germany) and Harjit Singh (USA)declared Proclaimed Offenders (POs)

• April 30,1996: Charges framed in the court of District and Sessions Judge, Chandigarh against nine persons Gurmit Singh (BPL Engineer), Mohali, Nasib Singh (Agriculturalist) Jhingara Kalan, Lakhwinder Singh, Punjab Police Constable, Navjot Singh (Ranbaxy) Mohali, Jagtar Singh Tara (Taxi Driver), Shamsher Singh (Truck Driver), Jagtar Singh Hawara (BKI), Balwant Singh, Punjab Police Constable, Patiala and Paramjit Singh Bheora.