SC HEARS ARGUMENTS ON ALTERNTIVE METHODS OF DEATH PENALTY

SC HEARS ARGUMENTS ON ALTERNTIVE METHODS OF DEATH PENALTY

4-JAN-ENG 4

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

DELHI----------------------------The Supreme Court has concluded hearing arguments on a petition seeking less painful methods for the death penalty instead of hanging and has reserved its judgment.

The petition was filed by senior advocate Rishi Malhotra, who described hanging as a cruel, inhuman, and outdated method of execution, causing prolonged suffering to the convict. He suggested that lethal injection be used instead of hanging, as it causes death quickly and with less pain. The petition also argued that the convict should at least be given the option of choosing between hanging and lethal injection.

During the hearing, the Attorney General, representing the central government, informed the court that the government has constituted a committee to consider this issue and is studying alternative methods. The government clarified that currently, hanging is considered the fastest and safest method, and therefore, it is not in favor of changing it.

The court expressed displeasure with the government's stance and said that change is necessary with time, but the government does not seem prepared for it. The court stated that the Indian Constitution is compassionate and dynamic, and should include the right to a dignified death.

The petition was filed in 2017, and several hearings have taken place since then. The court has directed the petitioner and the central government to submit written submissions within three weeks. This case is significant regarding the method of execution for the death penalty, as many countries have abandoned hanging and adopted methods like lethal injection. In India, hanging is still the prescribed method under the Code of Criminal Procedure (now the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita).