The Beant Singh assassination case finally drew to a close on Tuesday with the Additional District and Sessions Judge (ADJ), Ravi Kumar Sondhi, awarding death sentence to Jagtar Singh Hawara and Balwant Singh, two of the six declared guilty in the case, amidst pro-Khalistan slogans. Three of the rest were given life imprisonment, while Naseeb Singh, the oldest of the accused at 72, was released after being awarded 10 years in prison.

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.

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