Whis is Balwant Singh Rajoana in news?
Balwant Singh Rajoana was given death sentence for assassinating former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh. He had not moved a mercy petition seeking clemency from the President of India. Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) sought mercy for him without his approval.
Rajoana was to be hanged on 31 March.
President commuted the death sentence under Article 72 of the Constitution.
What does it mean?
That is, he is given life imprisonment and will not be executed.
Can he be released from jail?
That is a moot point. Cases of commutation are eligible for remission- cutting short the jail sentence. But whether assassins are eligible for it is not clear.