Punjab first opposed Beant Singh assassian Hawara's parole, now seek his release

Published 8 August 2026 · local

Four months after the Punjab government sought parole for Jagtar Singh Hawara on humanitarian grounds, an official Jail Department communication has revealed that the same

Four months after the Punjab government sought parole for Jagtar Singh Hawara on humanitarian grounds, an official Jail Department communication has revealed that the same government had earlier opposed his release, citing 25 criminal cases and adverse police recommendations. A letter dated February 19, 2026, issued by the Punjab Department of Jails and accessed by India Today, shows that Hawara's parole application was forwarded to Tihar Jail authorities with an "unfavourable" recommendation. Read Full Story The communication was issued by the Home-7 Branch of the Punjab Department of Jails and addressed to the Superintendent-II (PHQ), Tihar, Delhi. It referred to an earlier communication dated October 21, 2025, regarding Hawara's parole application. 25 CASES CITED IN PAROLE RECOMMENDATION According to the letter, the Punjab government received information from the SSP Fatehgarh Sahib and the Director, Bureau of Investigation, that 25 criminal cases were registered against Hawara.

Both officers did not recommend granting him parole, the communication said. "Keeping in view the above facts, the parole case of prisoner Jagtar Singh Hawara is being forwarded with an unfavourable recommendation," the Punjab Jail Department said. The document makes clear that the recommendation at the time was based on the criminal cases registered against Hawara and the adverse reports from the police authorities. MANN LATER SEEKS 10-DAY PAROLE The position of the Punjab government subsequently changed. Months after the February communication, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann wrote to Governor Gulab Chand Kataria seeking 10-day parole for Hawara on humanitarian grounds. Mann cited Hawara's ailing mother and said the parole was being sought to allow him to attend to and take care of her.

The contrasting communications have raised questions over what prompted the apparent shift in the Punjab government's position within a span of four months. While the Jail Department had earlier relied on police reports and the 25 criminal cases to oppose parole, the Chief Minister later personally sought Hawara's release on humanitarian grounds. POLITICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF HAWARA'S RELEASE Hawara's parole has political significance in Punjab, where the demand for the release of "Bandhi Sikhs" has been raised by the Shiromani Akali Dal and other political and Sikh organisations. Hawara is serving a sentence in connection with the assassination of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh. His release has remained among the demands raised by parties and groups advocating the release of Sikh prisoners.