[5] Although Rajoana was arrested, convicted, and sentenced to death for his involvement in the assassination, his execution has been stayed multiple times due to various legal proceedings and appeals.

It is alleged that, during Beant Singh's tenure, upwards of twenty-five thousand of Sikh civilians disappeared or were killed and their bodies cremated by the police in extrajudicial executions.

Explaining his actions, Balwant Singh referred to the deadly anti-Sikh genocide which followed the assassination of Indira Gandhi and talked about how the perpetrators of the riots had not been brought to justice even after 25 years.

In a letter to the Chief Justice of the High Court, he complained about discrimination at the hands of the country's judicial system and the rulers.

[11] Rajoana defended his actions citing the 1984 Operation Blue Star offensive at the Golden Temple and the killing of Sikhs during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

[8] On stay of his execution, Balwant singh Rajoana said, "I have dedicated my life to the Panth (referred to Khalsa and meaning the Sikh Community) and have no regrets.

Shah also urged the fellow members to not to go by media reports which have stated that the ministry has recommended commuting the death sentence of Rajoana and the communication had been sent to Punjab government and Chandigarh administration.