Setting-Up Panel To Examine Execution Of Death Row Convicts By Hanging: Centre To SC

The Supreme Court today notify the Centre considering arranging a committee of experts to examine an extensive mode of execution of death row convicted by hanging in the country.

The bench comprising of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice JB Pardiwala took note in submissions of the Attorney General R.Venkataramani, who appeared for the Centre.

However, the government considered giving suggestions on constitution committee of experts & deliberations.

Therefore, the top law officer stated that there were processes related to finalizing the names for the proposed panel and also that he’ll be able to respond on certain issue after some time.

The bench stated that, “The Learned Attorney General states that the process of appointing a committee was under consideration. In view of the above, we will give a fixed date after the (summer) vacation.”

On March 21, the top court stated that it may consider setting up committee of experts and for examining whether execution of death row convicts hanging proportionate and less painful and sought “better data” from the issues pertaining to the execution mode.

Lawyer Rishi Malhotra filed a PIL in 2017 seeking to abolish the present practice of executing a death row convict by hanging & replace it with less painful methods such as “intravenous lethal injection, shooting, electrocution or gas chamber”.