17 February 2026 (Navroze Bureau) : The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday deferred the hearing on a plea filed by Jagtar Singh Hawara, a convict in the assassination case of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh, seeking his transfer from a jail outside Punjab to a prison within the state.
Hawara, who is currently lodged in a high-security jail, has approached the apex court arguing that prolonged incarceration outside Punjab has caused hardship to his family, particularly in terms of access and regular visitation. His counsel submitted that Hawara’s continued detention far from his home state violates his fundamental rights and hinders family contact, which is an important aspect of a prisoner’s right to dignity.
The plea contends that there is no longer any exceptional security threat that justifies keeping Hawara outside Punjab. It also points out that several years have passed since the assassination and that the law-and-order situation in the state has significantly improved. The defence argued that adequate security arrangements can be ensured in Punjab prisons to safely accommodate him.
The Supreme Court, however, did not take up the matter for detailed hearing and adjourned the case to a later date. The bench indicated that it would examine the security assessment reports and the position taken by the Centre and the Punjab government before passing any orders on the transfer request.
The Centre has consistently opposed Hawara’s transfer to a Punjab jail, citing security concerns and the potential impact on public order. Government representatives have earlier argued that his presence in Punjab could revive extremist sentiments and pose risks, especially given the sensitive history linked to the assassination of Beant Singh.
Beant Singh was assassinated in 1995 in a suicide bombing at the Punjab Civil Secretariat in Chandigarh, a turning point in the state’s battle against militancy. The killing had sent shockwaves across the country, as Beant Singh was widely credited with restoring relative peace in Punjab during a turbulent period.
Hawara was convicted in the case and sentenced to life imprisonment. Over the years, he has filed multiple petitions seeking relief on various grounds, including commutation of sentence, parole, and transfer closer to his home state. Some of these pleas have been rejected, while others remain pending before different courts.
Legal experts say prison transfer cases often involve a balance between a prisoner’s rights and broader security considerations. While prisoners are entitled to humane treatment and family access, courts usually rely heavily on security assessments provided by intelligence and law-enforcement agencies.
The Supreme Court’s decision to defer the hearing suggests that it may seek detailed inputs from all stakeholders before arriving at a conclusion. Observers note that the matter is sensitive, given Punjab’s history and the symbolic significance of the case.
The next hearing date is expected to be fixed soon, after which the apex court may decide whether Hawara can be shifted to a Punjab jail or should continue to remain incarcerated outside the state in the interest of security.
Summary
The Supreme Court has deferred hearing on Jagtar Singh Hawara’s plea seeking transfer to a Punjab jail in the Beant Singh murder case, citing the need to review security and government submissions.