TABLE TABLE OF CONTENTS
SR.
PARTICULARS
PAGE
NUMBER
NUMBER
2.
5
3.
5
4.
6
5.
Introduction
7- 9
6.
!"
7.
#i$cu$$ion
!!-!7
%.
C&$' L&($
!%-!9
9.
Conc)u$ion
2"
!".
Su**'$tion$
2!-22
!!.
Bi+)io*r&,
23
TABLE OF CASES •
R&/'ndr& Pr&$&d 0$. T' St&t' o1 Utt&r Pr&d'$
•
B&c&n Sin* 0$. St&t' o1 Pun/&+ !9%"
•
Mitu 0$. St&t' o1 Pun/&+
• •
R&n&r'$ &nd r$. $. St&t' o1 C&tti$*&r 2"!2 S&nto$ u&r S&ti$+u$&nB&ri&r 0$. St&t' o1 M&&r&$tr&
“An eye for an eye will make the whole world blind.” -Mahatma Gandhi
INTRODUCTION
Accordin* to t' 1ord #iction&r C&,it&) Puni$'nt i$ t' )'*&)) &utori8'd i))in* o1 $o'on' &$ ,uni$'nt 1or & cri'.! C&,it&) Puni$'nt i$ t' d'&t $'nt'nc' &(&rd'd 1or c&,it&) o11'nc'$ )i' cri'$ in0o)0in* u)ti,)' urd'r$ r','&t'd cri'$ ,)&nn'd urd'r: r&,' &nd urd'r 'tc ('r'in t' criin&) ,ro0i$ion$ con$id'r $uc ,'r$on$ &$ *ro$$ d&n*'r to t' 'i$t'nc' o1 t' $oci't &nd ,ro0id' d'&t ,uni$'nt.2 #'&t ,'n&)t i$ & )'*&) ,roc'$$ ('r' & ,'r$on i$ ,ut to d'&t + t' $t&t' &$ & ,uni$'nt 1or & cri'. T' i$tor o1 C&,it&) Puni$'nt i$ &$ o)d &$ t&t o1 &nind. In t' ;'$t'rn (or)d t' 1ir$t in$t&nc' i$ t&t o1 ourt''n $uc 'tod$ o1 &,ut&tin* t' criin&)$ to d'&t &r' no(n to &0' 'i$t'd. Ti$ i))u$tr&t'$ t&t '0'r countr in t' (or)d C&,it&) Puni$'nt &$ +''n in 'i$t'nc' $inc' ti'$ i'ori&). In t' +'*innin* o11'nc'$ &*&in$t r')i*ion &nd or&)it &ttr&ct'd C&,it&) Puni$'nt. ?o('0'r t' ,riiti0' $oci'ti'$ $oon *r'( u, into in*do$ &nd con$'@u'nt) criin&) )&( &)$o c&n*'d @uic). 11'nc'$ &*&in$t t' in* ('r' con$id'r'd or' $'riou$ +ot in t' E&$t &$ (')) &$ t' ;'$t. Tu$ t' ,o)itic&) o11'nc'$ ('r' &)$o &dd'd to t' or&) &nd r')i*iou$ o11'nc'$ &nd C&,it&) Puni$'nt (&$ ,r'$cri+'d 1or $uc o11'nc'$ &)$o. ;it t' &d0&nc''nt o1 ci0i)i8&tion &nd &d0'nt o1 indu$tri&)i8&tion C&,it&) Puni$'nt (&$ ,r'$cri+'d 1or o11'nc'$ &*&in$t ,ro,'rt &nd &)$o t' u&n +od. No( in t' od'rn (or)d c&,it&) o11'nc'$ 1urt'r co0'r'd dru*tr&11icin* i/&cin* t' &ir,)&n'$ +ri+'r 'tc. So' Mu$)i countri'$ )i' S&udi Ar&+i& '0'n (&nt to &dd =&rti1ici&) in$'in&tion= to t' )i$t o1 c&,it&) o11'nc'$. R't'ntioni$t$ o1 C&,it&) Puni$'nt &r*u' t&t C&,it&) Puni$'nt i$ n'c'$$&r to &int&in ,'&c' in t' (or)d $inc' it &ct$ &$ & d't'rr'nt to ,ot'nti&) o11'nd'r$. In t' +'*innin* ,u+)ic o,inion (&$ &)$o in 1&0or o1 C&,it&) Puni$'nt in ,r'1'r'nc' to )i1' i,ri$on'nt. n t' ot'r &nd &+o)itioni$t$ &r*u' t&t C&,it&) Puni$'nt 1&i)'d &$ & d't'rr'nt &nd no &/or (or o1 &n r'$'&rc'r '0'r ,ro0'd it$ '11ic&c. >urt'r t' &int&in t&t it i$ &n inu&n ,uni$'nt &r+itr&ri) i,o$'d on t' inorit t' un'duc&t'd t' ,oor &nd t' do(ntrodd'n. T' con1)ict 1http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/denition/english/capital+punishment 2http://www.legal-explanations.com/denitions/capital-punishment.htm
o1 o,inion +'t(''n t' r't'ntioni$t$ &nd &+o)itioni$t$ o0'r C&,it&) Puni$'nt *'n'r&t'd & d'+&t' trou*out t' (or)d &+out t' uti)it o1 C&,it&) Puni$'nt in t' od'rn (or)d ('r' *r'&t i,ort&nc' i$ &tt&c'd to +&$ic u&n 1r''do$. At t' int'rn&tion&) )'0') '0'r in$tru'nt d'&)in* (it u&n ri*t$ $uc &$ Uni0'r$&) #'c)&r&tion o1 ?u&n Ri*t$ Int'rn&tion&) Co0'n&nt$ on Ci0i) &nd Po)itic&) Ri*t$ 'tc. ('r' 0'r critic&) &+out t' C&,it&) Puni$'nt &nd $u**'$t &n &)t'rn&ti0' ,uni$'nt to d'&t ,'n&)t.
CURRENT SCENARIO OF DEATH PENALTY IN INDIA Indi& $t&nd$ ,oi$'d +'t(''n t' *)o+&) tr'nd to 'nd t' d'&t ,'n&)t &nd to$' n&tion$ t&t continu' to ''cut'. Li' &n o1 t' diini$in* nu+'r o1 n&tion$ t&t $ti)) &,,) t' d'&t ,'n&)t o0'r t' )&$t t(o d'c&d'$ Indi& &$ r'duc'd t' nu+'r o1 ''cution$ c&rri'd out. T' Indi&n /udici&r &$ ru)'d t&t t' d'&t ,'n&)t 1or urd'r u$t +' r'$trict'd to t'
HISTORY OF DEATH PENALTY IN INDIA A+out 26 'rc ,'tition$ &r' ,'ndin* +'1or' t' Pr'$id'nt $o' o1 t' $inc' !992. T'$' inc)ud' to$' o1 &)i$t&n Li+'r&tion >orc' t'rrori$t-#&0ind'r Sin* Bu))&r t' c&$'$ o1 $)&in 1or'$t +ri*&nd ''r&,,&n$ 4 &$$oci&t'$DSion Gn&n,r&&$& M''$'&rM&d&i& &nd Bi)0'ndr&nD1or i))in* 2! ,o)ic''n in !993: &nd t' c&$' o1 Pr&0''n u&r 1or i))in* 1our
'+'r$ o1 i$ 1&i) in M&n*&)or' in !994. n 27 A,ri) !995 Auto S&n&r (&$ &n*'d in S&)' T&i) N&du. At )'&$t !"" ,'o,)' in 2""7 4" in 2""6 77 in 2""5 23 in 2""2 &nd 33 in 2""! ('r' $'nt'nc'd to c&,it&) ,uni$'nt +ut not ''cut'dF. No o11ici&) $t&ti$tic$ o1 to$' $'nt'nc'd to d'&t &0' +''n r')'&$'d. A18&) Guru (&$ con0ict'd o1 con$,ir&c in conn'ction (it t' 2""! Indi&n P&r)i&'nt &tt&c &nd (&$ $'nt'nc'd to d'&t. T' Su,r'' Court o1 Indi& u,')d t' $'nt'nc' ru)in* t&t t' &tt&c =$oc'd t' con$ci'nc' o1 t' $oci't &t )&r*'.= A18&) (&$ $c'du)'d to +' ''cut'd on 2" cto+'r 2""6 +ut t' $'nt'nc' (&$ $t&'d. Guru (&$ &n*'d on 9 >'+ru&r 2"!3 &t #')i$ Ti&r &i). n 3 M& 2"!" & Mu+&i S,'ci&) Court con0ict'd A/&) &$&+ o1 urd'r (&*in* (&r on Indi& ,o$$'$$in* ',)o$i0'$ &nd ot'r c&r*'$. n 6 M& 2"!" t' $&' tri&) court $'nt'nc'd i to d'&t on 1our count$ &nd to & )i1' $'nt'nc' on 1i0' ot'r count$. &$&+ (&$ $'nt'nc'd to d'&t 1or &tt&cin* Mu+&i &nd i))in* !66 ,'o,)' on 26 No0'+'r 2""% &)on* (it nin' P&i$t&ni t'rrori$t$. ?' (&$ 1ound *ui)t o1 %" o11'nc'$ inc)udin* (&*in* (&r &*&in$t t' n&tion (ic i$ ,uni$&+)' + t' d'&t ,'n&)t. &$&+$ d'&t $'nt'nc' (&$ u,')d + t' Bo+& ?i* Court on 2! >'+ru&r 2"!! &nd + t' Su,r'' Court on 29 Au*u$t 2"!2. ?i$ 'rc ,)'& (&$ r'/'ct'd + t' ,r'$id'nt on 5 No0'+'r &nd t' $&' (&$ counic&t'd to i on !2 No0'+'r. n 2! No0'+'r 2"!2 &$&+ (&$ &n*'d in t' H'r(&d& C'ntr&) &i) in Pun'. n 5 M&rc 2"!2 & $'$$ion$ court in C&ndi*&r ord'r'd t' ''cution o1 B&)(&nt Sin* R&/o&n& & t'rrori$t 1ro B&++&r&)$& con0ict'd 1or i$ in0o)0''nt in t' &$$&$$in&tion o1 Pun/&+ Ci'1 Mini$t'r B'&ntSin*. T' $'nt'nc' (&$ to +' c&rri'd out on 3! M&rc 2"!2 in P&ti&)& C'ntr&) &i) +ut t' C'ntr' $t&'d t' ''cution on 2% M&rc du' to (or)d(id' ,rot'$t$ + Si$ t&t t' ''cution (&$ un1&ir &nd &ount'd to & u&n ri*t$ 0io)&tion. n !3 M&rc 2"!2 & court in Sir$& ?&r&n& cond'n'd to d'&t t' 22-'&r-o)d Ni& Sin* 1or r&,in* &nd $tr&n*)in* to d'&t & 75-'&r-o)d (o&n on !! >'+ru&r 2"!!. =T' i,o$ition o1 t' d'&t $'nt'nc' (&$ o$t &,,ro,ri&t' in ti$ c&$'. T' court &$ ')d t&t it (&$ & co)d +)ood'd urd'r &nd ('r' r&,' (&$ coitt'd on &n innoc'nt &nd &,)'$$ o)d (o&n= $&id N'')i&S&n*)& t' Sir$& &ddition&) di$trict &nd $'$$ion$ /ud*'. =T' r&,' &nd co)d-+)ood'd
urd'r o1 & (o&n (o (&$ o1 *r&ndot'r$ &*' o1 t' &ccu$'d 1&))$ in t' r&r'$t o1 t' r&r' c&$'.= T' court ')d t&t Ni& Sin* (&$ & =$&0&*'= (o$' ='i$t'nc' on '&rt (&$ & *r&0' d&n*'r to $oci't= &$ ' &d &)$o &tt',t'd to r&,' t(o ot'r 0i))&*' (o'n. In un' 2"!2 it +'c&' no(n t&t Indi&n ,r'$id'nt Pr&ti+& P&ti) n'&r t' 'nd o1 'r 1i0'-'&r t'r &$ ,r'$id'nt cout'd t' d'&t $'nt'nc' o1 &$ &n &$ 35 con0ict$ to )i1' inc)udin* 1our on t' $&' d& 2 un'F (ic cr'&t'd & $tor o1 ,rot'$t. Ti$ c&u$'d 1urt'r '+&rr&$$'nt to t' *o0'rn'nt ('n it c&' to )i*t t&t on' o1 t'$' con0ict$ B&nduB&+ur&oTid'D con0ict'd 1or t' r&,' &nd urd'r o1 & !6-'&r-o)d *ir)D&d &)r'&d di'd 1i0' '&r$ ,r'0iou$) 1ro ?I. A$ o1 !! >'+ru&r 2"!3 t'r' &r' 476 con0ict$ on d'&t ro( in Indi&. St&t'$ (it t' &iu nu+'r o1 ,ri$on'r$ on d'&t ro( &r' Utt&r Pr&d'$ !74F &rn&t&& 6!F M&&r&$tr& 5"F &nd Bi&r 37F.
DISCUSSION T' Su,r'' Court o1 Indi& &$ t' i*'$t udici&) Tri+un&) o1 t' countr &$ *i0'n it$ &utorit&ti0' d'ci$ion$ on 0&riou$ ,oint$ o1 )&( 1ro ti' to ti'. T' &,' court &$ '&in'd t' con$titution&) 0&)idit ,roc'dur' &nd &n ot'r i$$u'$ r')&t'd to d'&t $'nt'nc' &nd d')i0'r'd it$ 0&)u&+)' 0'rdict on nu'rou$ occ&$ion$ in )&$t 5"-6" '&r$. T' con$titution&)it o1 d'&t ,'n&)t &$ +''n @u'$tion'd +'1or' t' Su,r'' Court $'0'r&) ti'$ on t' *round t&t it contr&0'n'$ ,ro0i$ion$ incor,or&t'd in Indi&n Con$titution. ?o('0'r t' Court &$ &d' it c)'&r &n ti'$ t&t t' i,o$ition o1 d'&t ,'n&)t i$ not o,,o$'d to t' $u,r'' )&( o1 t' )&nd. B&*(&ti . i$ o1 t' o,inion t&t S'c. 3"2 o1 t' I.P.C. in $o 1or &$ it ,ro0id'$ 1or i,o$ition o1 d'&t ,'n&)t &$ &n &)t'rn&ti0' to )i1' $'nt'nc' i$ u)tr& 0ir'$ &nd 0oid &$ +'in* 0io)&ti0' o1 Artic)' !4 &nd 2! o1 t' con$titution $inc' it do'$ not ,ro0id' &n )'*i$)&ti0' *uid')in'$ &$ to ('n )i1' $ou)d +' ,'ritt'd to +' 'tin*ui$'d + i,o$ition o1 d'&t $'nt'nc'. No( co'$ t' @u'$tion &$ to ('n $ou)d t' c ourt$ +' inc)in'd to in1)ict &n &ccu$'d (it d'&t $'nt'nc'. B 0irtu' o1 $'ction 3543F o1 CrPC. it c&n +' $&id t&t d'&t $'nt'nc' +' in1)ict'd in $,'ci&) c&$'$ on). T' &,' court $)i*t) odi1i'd ti$ t'rino)o* in B&c&n Sin*$ C&$' &nd o+$'r0'd =A r'&) &nd &+idin* conc'rn 1or t' di*nit o1 u&n )i1' ,o$tu)&t'$ r'$i$t&nc' to
t&in* & )i1' trou* )&($ in$tru'nt&)it. T&t ou*t to +' don' $&0' in t' r&r'$t o1 r&r' c&$'$ ('n t' &)t'rn&ti0' o,tion i$ un@u'$tion&+) 1or'c)o$'d... >or &)) t' o11'nc'$ in (ic d'&t $'nt'nc' i$ t' ,uni$'nt it $ou)d +' not'd t&t it i$ not t' on) ,uni$'nt it i$ t' 'tr'' ,uni$'nt. Tu$ t'$' $'ction$ + 0irtu' o1 t'ir 0'r (ordin*$ ,ro0id' 1or & di$cr'tion (ic i$ to +' 0'$t'd in t' court$ to d'cid' t' @u&ntu o1 ,uni$'nt. So in it$ u)ti&t' /udici&) di$cr'tion ,o('r to d'cid' ('t'r d'&t ,'n&)t i$ to +' i,o$'d or not &$ +''n 0'$t'd in court$ ri*t 1ro t' inc',tion o1 P'n&) Cod' in !%6". ?o('0'r t' &nn'r o1 ''rci$in* ti$ di$cr'tion &$ und'r*on' 0&riou$ c&n*'$ (it t' c&n*in* ti' &nd '0o)ution o1 n'( ,rinci,)'$ 1oru)&t'd trou* /udici&) ,ronounc''nt$. T' *uid')in'$ &0' +''n $,'ci1i'd 1ro ti' to ti' to r'$trict t' &r+itr&r u$' o1 ti$ 'tr'' ,'n&)t &nd to *u&r&nt'' 1r'' tri&). Artic)'$ 72 &nd !6! o1 t' Con$titution con1'r ,o('r on t' Pr'$id'nt &nd *o0'rnor$ o1 $t&t'$ to 'nt'rt&in t' 'rc ,'tition o1 d'&t con0ict$ &nd *r&nt ,&rdon. T' Su,r'' Court trou* it$ ,ronounc''nt$ &$ d'1in'd t' $co,' o1 $uc ''cuti0' c)''nc &nd $'t &$id' &)) t' ,o$$i+i)iti'$ o1 it$ &r+itr&r u$'. Muc or' t&n t&t it &11ir$ t&t t' ,&rdonin* ,o('r o1 t' Pr'$id'nt &nd t' *o0'rnor$ &r' $u+/'ct to /udici&) r'0i'( &nd c&nnot +' ''rci$'d du' to ,o)itic&) r'&$on$ or on t' +&$i$ o1 c&$t'.
INDIAN PENAL CODE AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE CODE A$ 1&r &$ Indi& i$ conc'rn'd t' ,ro0i$ion$ r')&tin* to C&,it&) Puni$'nt &r' '+odi'd in t' Criin&) Proc'dur' Cod' &nd t' Indi&n P'n&) Cod'. Indi&n P'n&) Cod' i$ t' $u+$t&nti0' )&( (ic $t&t'$ t' o11'nc'$ (ic &r' ,uni$&+)' (it d'&t $'nt'nc'. Criin&) Proc'dur' Cod' i$ t' ,roc'dur&) )&( (ic ',)&in$ t' ,roc'dur' to +' 1o))o('d in d'&t ,'n&)t c&$'$. T' $u+$t&nti0' )&( o1 Indi& 0i8. Indi&n P'n&) Cod' (&$ 'n&ct'd in t' '&r !%6". Tou* 0'r 1'( A'nd'nt$ &r' &d' 'r' &nd t'r' in tot&) it r'&in$ unc&n*'d ('r'&$ Criin&) Proc'dur' Cod' (&$ &'nd'd $u+$t&nti&)) onc' in !955 &nd r''n&ct'd in !972. Tou* &/orit o1 t' ,ro0i$ion$ r'&in unc&n*'d S'ction 2352F &nd S'ction 3543F und'r('nt & &/or c&n*'. T' ,r'$'nt c&,t'r &in) d'&)$ (it t' $u+$t&nti0' &nd ,roc'dur&) )&($ ,'rt&inin* to C&,it&) Puni$'nt. It i$ &)$o ,ro,o$'d to di$cu$$ t' ,o('r o1 t' ''cuti0' to *r&nt ,&rdon &nd cout' d'&t into )i1' i,ri$on'nt &$ ,ro0id'd und'r t' Indi&n Con$titution. A &/or &'nd'nt too ,)&c' in t' Cod'$ in 2"!3 n&') The Criminal Law
(Amendmen! A"# $%&' . It i$ &n Indi&n )'*i$)&tion (ic ,ro0id'$ 1or &'nd'nt o1 t' Indi&n
P'n&) Cod' Criin&) Proc'dur' Cod' &nd Indi&n E0id'nc' Act on )&($ r')&t'd to $'u&) o11'nc'$. It (&$ ,rou)*&t'd in t' )i*t o1 t' ,rot'$t$ in t' 2"!2 #')i *&n* r&,' c&$'.
DEBATE OER RETENTION AND ABOLITION OF DEATH PENALTY ARGUMENTS FR RETENT!N F "EAT# $ENA%T& Ca)ial P*ni+hmen a"+ a+ a deerren, I1 t' d'&t $'nt'nc' i$ r'o0'd t' 1'&r t&t
co'$ in t' ind$ o1 t' ,'o,)' coittin* urd'r (i)) +' r'o0'd. <#o (' (&nt or' o1 urd'r$ in our countr or do (' (&nt )'$$ o1 t' 3 A)) $'nt'nc'$ &r' &(&rd'd 1or t' ,rot'ction o1 t' $oci't $o t&t '0'r indi0idu&) )i0'$ in ,'&c'. C&,it&) ,uni$'nt i$ n'c'$$&r 1or ti$ $'curit.4 T' 1'&r o1 +'in* &n*'d ,r'0'nt$ & ,'r$on 1ro coittin* 'inou$ cri'$ (ic i$ & $t', 1or(&rd in '',in* t' n&tion $&1'. Eliminai-n - he "riminal+, #'&t P'n&)t i$ t' on) '&n$ o1 ')iin&tin* t' o11'nd'r (o ,ut$ ,u+)ic ,'&c' into d&n*'r + coittin* c'rt&in d&n*'rou$ 1or$ o1 cri'. 5 P-++i/ili0 - re)eaed "rime+, Soci't u$t +' ,rot'ct'd 1ro t' ri$ o1 & $'cond o11'nc' + & criin&) (o i$ not ''cut'd &nd & +' r')'&$'d. A1t'r r')'&$' ' & coit t' $&' cri' &*&in.6 C-ndii-n in India, In countri'$ ('r' c&,it&) ,uni$'nt &$ +''n &+o)i$'d t' 1i*ur' o1 oicid' i$ 0'r )o(: 1our in & i))ion or '0'n )'$$ t&n t&t. 7 In Indi& t' 1i*ur' o1 oicid' i$ u*' &nd &+o)i$'nt o1 d'&t ,'n&)t (i)) 1urt'r &**r&0&t' it. Sa1in2 - *nd+, Mon' o1 citi8'n$ $ou)d not +' $,'nt on &int&inin* ,'o,)' (o c&u$' &r to t'. T' t& ,&'r$ $ou)d not +' c&))'d u,on to ,& 1or t' &int'n&nc' o1 &nti-$oci&) criin&)$ 1or &n ind'1init' or & 0'r )on* ,'riod. 3By ate !hri "o#indBalla$h %ant& 'inister of (ome )*airs& a,ya !a$ha e$ate& 2th )pril 10 ate !hri atar& 'inister of !tate in the 'inistry of (ome )*airs& a,ya !a$ha e$ate& 2th )pril 10 .. %u$lication& page & paragraph 214 45eylon eport& !ummary of arguments& page 3& under 6long term e*ects7 8!mt. 9iolet )l#a& a,ya !a$ha e$ate&0 th !eptem$er 141& col. 3018
Pr-)-ri-nae - "rime, T' ,uni$'nt $ou)d +'&r & /u$t ,ro,ortion to cri'. Tu$
c&,it&) ,uni$'nt i$ t' on) 1it ,uni$'nt 1or to$' (o &0' d')i+'r&t') 0io)&t'd t' $&nctit o1 u&n )i1'. N- mi+"arria2e - 3*+i"e, I1 t'r' i$ i$c&rri&*' o1 /u$tic' in on' or t(o c&$'$ t' i*'r court$ c&n +' &,,ro&c'd. T' (o)' &cin'r o1 t' Go0'rn'nt (i)) +' t'r' to ,rot'ct t' )i1' o1 &n innoc'nt ,'r$on. I mar4+ he re)r-/ai-n - +-"ie0, C&,it&) ,uni$'nt &r$ t' $oci't$ d't'$t&tion &nd &+orr'nc'. C&,it&) Puni$'nt &r$ t' d't'$t&tion &nd &+orr'nc' o1 t' t&in* o1 )i1' &nd it$ r'0u)$ion &*&in$t t' cri' o1 cri'$. It i$ $u,,ort'd not +'c&u$' o1 & d'$ir' 1or 0'n*'&nc' +ut r&t'r &$ t' $oci't$ r',ro+&tion to t' *r&0' cri' o1 urd'r. % ARGUMENTS FR A'%!T!N F "EAT# $ENA%T& Reli2i-*+# m-ral and ehi"al 1al*e+ - T' &+o)itioni$t$ ,oint to t' 1i1t co&nd'nt
•
in $u,,ort o1 t'ir &r*u'nt. =Tou $&)) not i))= &nd to Cri$t$ &,,'&) in t' S'ron on t' Mount. =#o *ood to to$' (o &t' ou.= In M&&+&r&t& &)$o S&t&'tu #u&t$'n&$ $on (&$ &*&in$t C&,it&) Puni$'nt. ?' ,rot'$t'd &*&in$t t' &$$ $c&)' ''cution$ ord'r'd + i$ 1&t'r &nd &r*u'd t&t d'$truction o1 u&n )i1' c&n n'0'r +' /u$ti1i'd on &n *round.9 Li1' i$ & ,r'ciou$ *i1t o1 God. God (o *i0'$ t' )i1' &)on' &$ t' ri*t to t&' it +&c. An &*'nc inc)udin* t' /udici&r $ou)d not ''cut' ti$ ri*t. >&t'r o1 t' Indi&n N&tion- M&&t& G&ndi &)$o r'it'r&t'd t' $&' tin* )on* +&c. =God &)on' c&n t&' )i1'. B'c&u$' ?' &)on' *i0'$ it. #'$truction o1 u&n )i1' c&n n'0'r +' & 0irtuou$ &ct.!" Ca)ial P*ni+hmen i+ /ar/ar-*+, C&,it&) Puni$'nt i$ & cru')) c&))ou$ in0'$t'nt
•
+ un$ur' &nd un',t $oci't in ,uniti0' d'u&ni8&tion &nd co(&rd) $tr&t'* +&$'d on t' orr'ndou$ $u,'r$tition t&t co)d-+)ood'd u&n $&cri1ic' + ,ro1'$$ion&) &n*&n 'n*&*'d + t' $t&t' (i)) ,ro,iti&t' t' Godd'$$ o1 u$tic' to +)'$$ Mot'r E&rt (it cri')'$$ $oci't.!! E'cution +rut&)i8'$ to$' in0o)0'd in t' ,roc'$$. 0 aw 5ommission of ndia: ;hirty 'aha$harata: !hanti %ar#a: 5hapter 55?9& 9erses- -13 1@ Arishna yer.. 6 eath !entence on eath !entence7 ;he ndian )d#ocate: ournal of the Bar )ssociate of ndia: 9?9 3 =an-une &180> !ee also "ollanC: 5apital %unishment the (eart of the 'atter: p. =1> 11$id
•
Ri2h - lie and he Sae, E0'r indi0idu&) i$ 'ntit)'d to &0' i$ ri*t$ &nd '&c
indi0idu&) &$ & r'$,on$i+i)it to ,rot'ct to$' ri*t$ 1or &)) ot'r$. Li1' i$ & uni0'r$&) u&n ri*t. To ,ut o11 $uc & ri*t + t' St&t' diini$'$ t' +&$ic conc',t o1 t' di*nit o1 t' indi0idu&) &nd ti$ di*nit i$ &n in&)i'n&+)' ri*t. Artic)' 2! o1 T' Indi&n Con$titution ,ro0id'$ '0'r citi8'n o1 t' countr (it t' ri*t to )i1' &nd ,'r$on&) )i+'rt. T' &+o)itioni$t$ $& t&t c&,it&) ,uni$'nt i$ 0io)&ti0' o1 ti$ 1und&'nt&) ri*t •
&nd 'nc' $ou)d +' &+o)i$'d. Ca)ial P*ni+hmen i+ n- a deerren, Studi'$ &nd r'$'&rc'$ $o( t&t it &$ +''n conc)ud'd t&t = 0io)'nt cri' 1o))o($ & cur0' t&t i$ & 1unction o1 $oci&) &nd 'conoic condition$ &nd t' '0o)ution o1 t' or&) 0&)u'$ o1 $oci't &t & *i0'n o'nt. It i$ un&11'ct'd + t' 'i$t'nc' or &+$'nc' o1 C&,it&) Puni$'nt. In ot'r (ord$ t' d'&t
•
,'n&)t do'$ not r'duc' cri' nor do'$ it$ &+o)ition incr'&$' it.= Ca)ial P*ni+hmen r*le+ -* he )-++i/ili0 - re-rmai-n, E0'r $&int &$ & ,&$t &nd '0'r $inn'r & 1utur'. N'0'r (rit' o11 t' &n ('&rin* t' criin&) &ttir' +ut r'o0' t' d&n*'rou$ d'*'n'r&c in i r'$tor' r't&rd'd u&n ,ot'nti&) + o)i$tic '&)in* o1 i$ 1'0'r'd 1&ti*u'd or 1ru$tr&t'd in$id' &nd + r',&irin* t' r',r'$$i0' tou* idd'n in/u$tic' o1 t' $oci&) ord'r (ic i$ 0ic&riou$) *ui)t o1 t' criin&) +'&0ior o1 &n innoc'nt con0ict$. L&( u$t ri$' (it )i1' &nd /uri$,rud'nc' r'$,ond$ to u&ni$.!2
CASE LA5S Ra(endra $ra)ad *. State of U.$ .+, ri$n& I'r . ')d t&t c&,it&) ,uni$'nt (ou)d not +' /u$ti1i'd un)'$$ it (&$ $o(n t&t t' criin&) (&$ d&n*'rou$ to t' $oci't. ?' ')d t&t *i0in* di$cr'tion to t' ud*' to &' coic' +'t(''n d'&t $'nt'nc' &nd )i1' i,ri$on'nt on JJ$,'ci&) r'&$on= und'r S'ction 354 3F o1 Cr.P.C. (ou)d +' 0io)&ti0' o1 Artic)' !4 (ic cond'n$ &r+itr&rin'$$. ?' ,)'&d'd 1or t' &+o)ition or t' $co,' or S'ction 3"2 I.P.C. &nd S'ction 354 3F $ou)d +' curt&i)'d or not i$ & @u'$tion to +' d'cid'd + t' P&r)i&'nt &nd not + t' Court. It i$ $u+itt'd t&t inorit /ud*'nt i$ corr'ct +'c&u$' &1t'r t' 12 Arishna yer.. 6 eath !entence on eath !entence7 ;he ndian )d#ocate: ournal of the Bar )ssociate of ndia: 9?9 3 =an-une &180> 13) 18 !5 14.
&'nd'nt in t' Cr.P.C. &nd t' d'ci$ion in &*o&n Sin*$ c&$' t' d'&t ,'n&)t i$ on) &n 'c',tion &nd t' )i1' i,ri$on'nt i$ t' ru)'. T' di$cr'tion to &' coic' +'t(''n t' t(o ,uni$'nt$ i$ )'1t to t' ud*'$ &nd not to t' E'cuti0'.
'ahan Sinh *. State of $/n(ab +0 In ti$ c&$' t' Su,r'' Court + 4 K ! &/orit &$ o0'rru)'d R&/'ndr& Pr&$&d$ d'ci$ion &nd &$ ')d t&t t' ,ro0i$ion o1 d'&t ,'n&)t und'r S'ction 3"2 o1 I.P.C. &$ &n &)t'rn&ti0' ,uni$'nt 1or urd'r i$ not 0io)&ti0' o1 Artic)' 2!. Artic)' 2! o1 t' Con$titution r'co*ni8'$ t' ri*t o1 t' St&t' to d',ri0' & ,'r$on o1 i$ )i1' or ,'r$on&) )i+'rt in &ccord&nc' (it r'&$on&+)' /u$t &nd 1&ir ,roc'dur' '$t&+)i$'d + )&(. In 0i'( o1 t' con$titution&) ,ro0i$ion + no $tr'tc o1 i&*in&tion it c&n +' $&id t&t d'&t ,'n&)t und'r S'ction 3"2 I.P.C. 'it'r per se
or +'c&u$' o1 it$ ''cution + &n*in* con$titut'$ &n unu$u&) cru') or
unr'&$on&+)' ,uni$'nt. T' d'&t ,'n&)t 1or t' o11'nc' o1 urd'r do'$ not 0io)&t' t' +&$ic 1'&tur' o1 t' Con$titution. T' Int'rn&tion&) Co0'n&nt on Ci0i) &nd Po)itic&) Ri*t$ to (ic Indi& &$ +'co' ,&rt in !979 do not &+o)ition o1 d'&t ,'n&)t in &)) circu$t&nc'$. A)) t&t it r'@uir'$ i$ t&t !F d'&t ,'n&)t $ou)d not +' &r+itr&ri) in1)ict'd 2F it $ou)d +' i,o$'d 1or t' o$t $'riou$ cri'$. Tu$ t' r'@uir''nt$ o1 Int'rn&tion&) Co0'n&nt i$ t' $&' &$ t' *u&r&nt''$ &nd ,roi+ition$ cont&in'd in Artic)' 2" &nd 2! o1 our Con$titution. T' I.P.C. ,r'$cri+'$ d'&t ,'n&)t &$ &n &)t'rn&ti0' ,uni$'nt on) 1or 'inou$ cri'$. Indi&n P'n&) L&($ &r' tu$ 'ntir') in &ccord (it int'rn&tion&) coit'nt.
•
Ram1al $ithwa Rahida) *. State of Mahara)htra 2+330 +4 In ti$ c&$' t' tri&) court &d $'nt'nc'd 'i*t ,'o,)' to d'&t. T' ?i* Court u,')d t' $'nt'nc'$ o1 1i0' o1 t' +ut t' Su,r'' Court &c@uitt'd t' &)) notin* t&t t' &in
1) 10@ !5 00 1!994 Su,, 2F Su,r'' Court C&$'$ - SCC 47%
'0id'nc' &*&in$t t' (&$ not tru$t(ort. T' Court not'd $&rc&$tic&)) t&t t' &in (itn'$$$ 'or con$t&nt) i,ro0'd i$ t'$tion &t t' tri&) tr'' '&r$ &1t'r t' incid'nt (&$ o+$'r0'd to +' 1&r or' d't&i)'d t&n i$ con1'$$ion&) $t&t''nt r'cord'd & 1'( d&$ &1t'r t' incid'ntF. T' Court conc)ud'd t&t t' (itn'$$ (&$ ,r'$$ur'd + t' ,o)ic' to *i0' '0id'nc' +'c&u$'
S/dama $andey and other) *. State of 'ihar2+33+ +5 In ti$ c&$' t' tri&) court &d $'nt'nc'd 1i0' ,'o,)' to d'&t 1or t' &tt',t'd r&,' &nd urd'r o1 & !2-'&r-o)d ci)d t' ?i* Court &d cout'd t' $'nt'nc'$ +ut t' Su,r'' Court not'd t&t it (&$ un1ortun&t' t&t t' ?i* Court did not &)$o ,ro,'r) r'0i'( t' '0id'nc'. Ac@uittin* t' &ccu$'d t' Su,r'' Court not'd t&t +ot t' tri&) court &nd t' ?i* Court &d coitt'd & $'riou$ 'rror + &,,r'ci&tin* circu$t&nti&) '0id'nc' r'$u)tin* in & i$c&rri&*' o1 /u$tic'.
"e*inder $al Sinh *. State2 N.6.T. of "elhi and anr. +7 #'0ind'r P&) Sin* Bu))&r (&$ $'nt'nc'd to d'&t + & d'$i*n&t'd court in 2""! und'r t' T'rrori$t &nd #i$ru,ti0' Acti0iti'$ Pr'0'ntionF Act !9%7 TA#AF &1t'r +'in* 1ound *ui)t o1 in0o)0''nt in t' !993 +o+in* o1 t' Hout Con*r'$$ 11ic' in #')i (ic )'d to t' d'&t$ o1 &n ,'r$on$. T' ,ro$'cution$ c&$' (&$ t&t ' &d 0o)unt&ri) con1'$$'d to i$ ro)' in t' +o+in* to t' ,o)ic'. T' ,ro$'cution r')i'd &)o$t $o)') on ti$ &))'*'d con1'$$ion + t' &ccu$'d (ic ' $u+$'@u'nt) r'tr&ct'd. T' Su,r'' Court $ittin* &$ & court o1 1ir$t &,,'&) und'r t' TA#A con1ir'd t' d'&t $'nt'nc' in 2""2. In & di$$'ntin* /ud*'nt u$tic' S& o1 t' Su,r'' Court r'co'nd'd &c@uitt&) o1 t' &ccu$'d dou+tin* t' 0'r&cit &nd 0o)unt&r c&r&ct'r o1 & con1'$$ion&) $t&t''nt &d' to & ,o)ic' o11ic'r. u$tic' S& conc)ud'd t&t t'r' (&$ no '0id'nc' to con0ict Bu))&r &nd t&t & du+iou$ con1'$$ion cou)d not +' t' +&$i$ 1or &(&rdin* t' d'&t 14) 2@@2 !5 23 18 2@@2 !55 23
$'nt'nc'. But t' &/orit +'nc u,o)din* t' $'nt'nc' 'r') $u**'$t'd t&t $uc conc'rn$ cou)d +' t&'n into &ccount + t' ''cuti0' durin* t'ir d'ci$ion on c)''nc. #'0ind'r P&) Sin* Bu))&r$ 'rc ,'tition r'&in$ ,'ndin* +'1or' t' Pr'$id'nt. ?' i$ curr'nt) on d'&t ro( in Ti&r &i) #')i.
CONCLUSION In Indi& t' ,ro0i$ion 1or d'&t $'nt'nc' $ti)) ,r'0&i)$ &$ ,&rt o1 criin&) /uri$,rud'nc' +ut t' Su,r'' Court o1 Indi& &$ r','&t'd) &$$'rt'd t&t it $ou)d +' i,o$'d on) in t' r&r'$t o1 r&r' c&$'. T' i*'$t udici&) Tri+un&) o1 t' countr &$ *i0'n 1ro ti' to ti' &utorit&ti0' ,ronounc''nt$ &nd &d' it c)'&r t&t t' ,ro0i$ion$ 1or d'&t $'nt'nc' &r' not 0io)&ti0' o1 Artic)'$ !4 !9 &nd 2! o1 t' Con$titution. Tu$ t' ,ro0i$ion$ d'&)in* (it d'&t $'nt'nc' &r' not o,,o$'d to t' Con$titution +ut c&r' u$t +' ''rci$'d in '0'r c&$' to )oo into t' circu$t&nc'$ o1 t' c&$' 1&ct$ &nd t' n&tur' o1 t' cri' 1or &in* coic' +'t(''n t' i,o$ition o1 d'&t ,'n&)t &nd t' &(&rd o1 t' $'nt'nc' o1 )i1' i,ri$on'nt. ?o('0'r t' d'&t ,'n&)t $ou)d +' i,o$'d on) in &ccord&nc' (it t' ,roc'dur' '$t&+)i$'d + )&(. >or &)) t' o11'nc'$ in (ic d'&t $'nt'nc' i$ t' ,uni$'nt it & +' not'd t&t it i$ not t' on) ,uni$'nt it i$ t' 'tr'' ,'n&)t. Tu$ t'$' ,ro0i$ion$ + 0irtu' o1 t'ir 0'r (ordin*$ ,ro0id' 1or & di$cr'tion (ic i$ to +' 0'$t'd in t' court$ to d'cid' t' @u&ntu o1 ,uni$'nt. No( co'$ t' @u'$tion &$ to ('n $ou)d t' court$ +' inc)in'd to in1)ict d'&t $'nt'nc' to &n &ccu$'d B 0irtu' o1 $'ction 3543F o1 Cr.P.C. it c&n +' $&id t&t d'&t $'nt'nc' +' in1)ict'd in $,'ci&) c&$'$ on). T' &,' court odi1i'd ti$ t'rino)o* in B&c&n Sin*$ C&$' &nd o+$'r0'd < A real and abiding concern for the dignity of human life postulates resistance to taking a life through law's instrumentality. That ought to be done save in the rarest of rare cases when the alternative option is unquestionably foreclosed...” A ,'r$on $'nt'nc'd to d'&t i$ 'ntit)'d to ,roc'dur&) 1&irn'$$ ti)) i$ )&$t +r'&t o1 )i1'. Artic)' 2! d'&nd$ t&t &n ,roc'dur' (ic t&'$ &(& t' )i1' &nd )i+'rt o1 $uc ,'r$on u$t +' /u$t 1&ir &nd r'&$on&+)'. Undu' d')& in ''cution o1 d'&t $'nt'nc' du' to d')& in di$,o$&) o1 'rc ,'tition (ou)d c'rt&in) c&u$' 'nt&) tortur' to t' cond'n'd ,ri$on'r &nd t'r'1or' (ou)d +' 0io)&ti0' o1 Artic)' 2!. In $uc & $itu&tion t' Court '&in'$ t' d')& 1&ctor in t' )i*t o1 t' circu$t&nc'$ o1 t' c&$' &nd in &,,ro,ri&t' c&$'$ cout' d'&t $'nt'nc' to )i1' i,ri$on'nt $'nt'nc'. No( & con$titution&) +'nc o1 t' Su,r'' Court &$ ru)'d t&t &n undu) )on* d')& in ''cution o1 t' $'nt'nc' o1 d'&t (ou)d 'ntit)' &n &,,ro&c to t' Court +ut t&t on) d')& &1t'r t' conc)u$ion o1 t' /udici&) ,roc'$$ (ou)d +' r')'0&nt &nd t&t t' ,'riod c&nnot +' 1i'd.
T' ''cuti0' c&n ''rci$' t' ,&rdonin* ,o('r &t &n ti' &1t'r coi$$ion o1 &n o11'nc' 'it'r +'1or' )'*&) ,roc''din*$ &r' t&'n or durin* t'ir ,'nd'nc or 'it'r +'1or' or &1t'r con0iction. A ,&rdon i$ &n &ct o1 *r&c' &nd t'r'1or' it c&nnot +' d'&nd'd &$ & &tt'r o1 ri*t. B ru)in* t&t t' ''rci$' o1 t' Pr'$id'nt$ ,o('r und'r Artic)' 72 (i)) +' '&in'd on t' 1&ct$ &nd circu$t&nc'$ o1 '&c c&$' t' Su,r'' Court &$ r't&in'd t' ,o('r o1 /udici&) r'0i'( '0'n on & &tt'r (ic &$ +''n 0'$t'd + t' Con$titution $o)') in t' E'cuti0'. Tu$ i1 t' ,&rdonin* ,o('r &$ +''n ''rci$'d on t' *round o1 ,o)itic&) r'&$on$ c&$t' &nd r')i*iou$ con$id'r&tion$ it (ou)d &ount to 0io)&tion o1 t' Con$titution &nd t' Court (i)) '&in' it$ 0&)idit.
SU66ESTIONS In t' )&$t d'c&d' d'&t ,'n&)t &$ +'co' & $u+/'ct-&tt'r o1 int'n$' 1ocu$ in t' Su,r'' Court. T' A,' Court on 0&riou$ occ&$ion$ &$ (r'$t)'d (it t' di$,&r&t' &,,)ic&tion o1 )&( on d'&t ,'n&)t &nd con$titution&) 1&irn'$$ i,)ic&tion$ o1 t' $&'. A $$t'&tic $tud (ic (ou)d &ddr'$$ t' @u'ri'$ &nd conc'rn$ o1 Court$ &nd &)$o ,r'$'nt$ &n int'rn&tion&) ,'r$,'cti0' on t' i$$u' i$ uc n''d'd. T' Court in $o' o1 t'$' c&$'$ &$ $,'ci1ic&)) r'@u'$t'd t' L&( Coi$$ion to und'rt&' r'$'&rc in ti$ +'&)1. To 0oic' o,inion$ on ti$ &tt'r I 1'') t&t c&,it&) ,uni$'nt i$ & 0'r $u+/'cti0' &tt'r. Indi& &0in* & ,o,u)&tion o1 or' t&n & +i))ion &$ di0'r$' 0i'($ on t' 'i$t'nc' o1 c&,it&) ,uni$'nt. In Indi& ,ro,oundin* o1 t'
t&t in t' )&$t 1'( '&r$ Su,r'' Court &$ 'ntr'nc'd t' ,uni$'nt o1 <1u)) )i1' or )i1' $'nt'nc' o1 d't'rin&t' nu+'r o1 '&r$ &$ & r'$,on$' to c&))'n*'$ ,r'$'nt'd in d'&t c&$'$. In o,inion d'&t ,'n&)t i$ & ,uni$'nt t&t u$t +' in1)ict'd u,on criin&)$ (o &0' coitt'd & 0'r 'inou$ cri' &*&in$t t' $oci't &nd ,o$$'$$ & 1urt'r tr'&t to t' 'ntir' n&tion. It & +' $&id t&t it r'duc'$ t' c&nc' o1 r'1or&tion +ut cri'$ )i' r&,' &nd urd'r (ic $&' t' 0'r 1ound&tion$ o1 u&nit $ou)d +' ,uni$'d $'0'r'). A)$o c&n*in* o1 d'&t ,'n&)t $'nt'nc'$ into )i1' i,ri$on'nt i,o$'$ t' +urd'n on t' *o0'rn'nt to $u,,ort t' 'i$t'nc' o1 t' criin&). ?'nc' d'&t ,'n&)t $ou)d +' i,o$'d on) in r&r'$t o1 t' r&r' c&$'$ &$ $t&t'd + t' Su,r'' Court. T' 1o))o(in* &r*u'nt$ $tr'n*t'n $u,,ort 1or t' 'i$t'nc' o1 c&, it&) ,uni$'nt&F C&,it&) Puni$'nt &ct$ &$ & d't'rr'nt 1or 1utur' cri'$ +F R'tri+ution trou* d'&t ,'n&)t i$ t' o$t '11'cti0' '&n$ o1 &ci'0in* /u$tic' 1or t' 0icti &nd ,ro0id' c)o$ur' to t' 0icti0icti$ 1&i) &nd $oci't cF C&,it&) Puni$'nt 'n$ur'$ t&t t' con0ict$ &r' n'0'r r')'&$'d +&c into $oci't &$ dF 'F 1F *F
t' & ,o$' & tr'&t in 1utur' C&,it&) ,uni$'nt r'duc'$ t' c&nc'$ o1 con0ict$ '$c&,in* 1ro ,ri$on To$' &ccu$'d o1 c&,it&) cri'$ do not d'$'r0' &n o,,ortunit 1or r'1or&tion T' $'0'rit o1 & cri' $ou)d &nd&t' &n '@u&)) $'0'r' ,uni$'nt C&,it&) Puni$'nt 'n$ur'$ /&i)$ &r' not o0'r,o,u)&t'do0'rcro(d'd &$ t' curr'nt
,ri$on in1r&$tructur' i$ in&d'@u&t' to &ccood&t' too &n ,ri$on'r$ 1or )i1' F C&,it&) Puni$'nt & i,o$' )'$$ 1in&nci&) +urd'n on t' St&t' &$ t' co$t o1 i,ri$onin* $o'on' 1or )i1' & +' i*'r
BIBLIO6RAPHY
5e/+ie+ Reerred7
(((./*'n'r&tor.co (((.'conoicti'$.co (((.'&$t&$i&1oru.or* (((.',(.in (((.'rin'($.co (((.indi&n&noon.co (((.)&()'.or* (((.)&(coi$$iono1indi&.nic.in (((.d'&t,'n&)tin1o.or* (((.indi&)&('r$.(ord,r'$$.co
New+)a)er+ reerred 8
T' ?indu T' Ti'$ o1 Indi& Econoic Ti'$
