Supreme Court has criticised political parties and Punjab government for spearheading the campaign for mercy to death convict Balwant Singh Rajoana.

The Apex court said, Rajoana is convicted in a case of broad daylight killing of a Chief Minister.

A bench comprising Justices G S Singhvi and S J Mukhopadhyay said, instances are replete where persons found guilty of the terrorist offences have got political support.

The bench expressed concern over the violent incidents that took place in Punjab during a bandh called by some outfits to protest the hanging of Rajoana convicted in the killing of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh on August 31, 1995.

The bench was hearing a petition filed by another death convict from Punjab Devender Pal Singh Bhullar pleading to commute his capital punishment.