The Punjab and Haryana High Court has disposed of Balwant Singh Rajoana's petition regarding eye surgery. The Centre has assured that the death-row convict will be treated at PGIMER, Chandigarh.

  • The Punjab and Haryana High Court disposed of Balwant Singh Rajoana's petition for eye surgery.
  • The Centre and Chandigarh administration assured treatment at PGIMER, Chandigarh.
  • Rajoana sought surgery at a private hospital in Patiala at his own expense.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Wednesday disposed of a petition filed by Balwant Singh Rajoana, a death-row convict in the landmark 1995 Beant Singh assassination case. Rajoana had sought permission to undergo cataract surgery at Dr. R.S. Randhawa Eye Hospital in Patiala at his own expense.

During the proceedings, the Centre and the Chandigarh administration submitted that Rajoana would be immediately escorted to the Department of Ophthalmology at PGIMER, Chandigarh, for adequate medical treatment. Following this assurance, the court closed the matter.

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Background of the Case

Balwant Singh Rajoana has been in custody for over three decades. His legal team, led by Senior Advocate P.S. Hundal, argued that Rajoana had developed severe itching and allergies around his eyes during his detention at Central Jail, Patiala. The petition stated that the prescribed corrective glasses were exacerbating the condition, and a refractive lens exchange or cataract surgery was medically advised to alleviate the discomfort.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that this legal development highlights the intersection of prisoner rights and state responsibility. While the convict sought a private facility for convenience and proximity to the jail, the state's decision to utilize PGIMER ensures both medical standard compliance and strict security protocols during the transfer of a high-profile inmate.

The judicial system must balance the stringent security required for high-profile convicts with the fundamental right to adequate healthcare.

Rajoana, a former Babbar Khalsa militant, was convicted for the assassination of then Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh in 1995. The suicide blast, which killed Beant Singh, also claimed the lives of 17 others.

Did You Know?: The Beant Singh assassination remains one of the most significant political turning points in the history of modern Punjab.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Where will Rajoana undergo his eye surgery?
As per the Centre's submission to the High Court, he will be treated at PGIMER, Chandigarh.

2. What was the reason for Rajoana's petition?
He sought permission for cataract surgery due to severe eye irritation and allergy caused by his current eyewear.