Set up panel to examine execution of death row convicts by hanging: AG to Centre

Attorney General R Venkataramani has written to the Centre on setting up a panel of experts to study the prevalent mode of execution of death row convicts by hanging in the country, the Supreme Court was informed on Tuesday.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra was told by senior advocate Sonia Mathur that the attorney general has sought the home ministry’s suggestions on the issue. The chief justice said the matter will be heard on a Friday after two weeks.

Also read: Centre tells SC: Discussing formation of panel to reevaluate hanging as punishment

Earlier, the apex court was apprised by the Centre that it was considering setting up a committee of experts to examine the prevalent mode of execution of death row convicts by hanging.

The Supreme Court on March 21 said it may consider setting up a panel of experts to examine whether execution of death row convicts by hanging was proportionate and less painful and had sought “better data” from the Centre on issues pertaining to the mode of execution.

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

Malhotra argued that a convict’s dignity stood lost when he was hanged, and cited various countries where other modes of execution are being followed.

(With agency inputs)