The Supreme Court has directed all State Governments to ensure that mercy petitions in death penalty cases are decided and disposed of promptly. The decision was made in response to a plea by the State of Maharashtra, which challenged a judgment of the Bombay High Court that commuted the death sentences of the accused to life imprisonment due to an inordinate unexplained delay in deciding the mercy petitions. The Supreme Court noted that there have been many cases where the death penalty was commuted to life imprisonment on the grounds of delay in disposing of mercy petitions.
The Court emphasized that while the gravity of the offense is a relevant consideration in commuting the death sentence to life imprisonment, inordinate delays in deciding mercy petitions can also be a relevant consideration. The Court further stated that if there is a delay in deciding the mercy petition even after the final conclusion, the purpose of the death sentence would be frustrated.
The Supreme Court has directed State Governments and authorities to ensure that mercy petitions in death penalty cases are decided promptly. The Court's decision came in response to a plea by the State of Maharashtra, which challenged a Bombay High Court judgment that commuted death sentences to life imprisonment due to an unexplained delay in deciding the mercy petitions. The Court emphasized that prompt decision-making is necessary to ensure justice is done for both the accused and the victim.
The Court did not interfere with the High Court's judgment, but noted that it is important for the High Court to consider the seriousness of the offense committed by the accused. In this case, nine people were killed. Therefore, the Supreme Court stated that the High Court should have commuted the death sentence to life imprisonment for natural life without any possibility of remission.
The Supreme Court has modified the High Court's order in a case involving the commutation of death sentences to life imprisonment. The Court directed that the accused be sentenced to life imprisonment for natural life without any possibility of remission.
The Court also issued a directive to all appropriate authorities and States where mercy petitions are to be filed or decided, to ensure that such petitions are decided promptly. The Court stated that the benefit of delay in deciding the mercy petitions should not accrue to the accused, and that they should not take advantage of such delays.
To ensure that the order is communicated to all concerned parties, the Registry was directed to send a copy of the order to the Chief Secretaries of all States and Union Territories.
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TAGS: Supreme Court State Governments mercy petitions death penalty cases Bombay High Court commutation life imprisonment delay gravity of offense victim accused natural life remission Registry Chief Secretaries directive prompt decision-making appropriate authorities disadvantage.
