The Supreme Court of India had passed a landmark directive with the aim to correct systemic inefficiencies resulting in death penalty cases

The Supreme Court of India had passed a landmark directive with the aim to correct systemic inefficiencies resulting in death penalty cases

The Supreme Court of India had passed a landmark directive with the aim to correct systemic inefficiencies resulting in death penalty cases becoming interminably long and protracted. A judgment, thus, seeks to redeem the principles of justice wherein a fair and expeditious procedure is offered for the persons facing capital punishment.Background of the Case It also took suo motu cognizance of delays in death penalty cases, a lot of times causing unrelenting mental agony on convicts and their victimized families along with the entire justice administration. Broader procedural inefficiencies leading to delayed communications of the sentence, dragging on and execution of appeals and mercy petitions were addressed in discussion. It originates from cases where inmates are left on death row for years on account of pending litigation, conflicting verdicts, or red tape. Critical Directives Issued Timeline for Execution Procedures: The court said in cases of capital punishment, there should be a timeline observed. When the trial court gives a death penalty, the high courts must speed up their review within six months from then. Pivotal Psychological Examination: The Court ensured humane treatment by ordering the psychiatric examination of all the death-row convicts at different stages, including the stage before execution. The reports shall be sent to the concerned authorities to judge the convict's mental state. Correct Communication of Sentence: Authorities were ordered to communicate the sentence of death-row inmates to them immediately, along with rights such as appeal and mercy petitions. Legal Aid: As evident by the judgment, quality legal aid should be provided for convicts at the appeals and review stages and when mercy petitions are filed. Compilation of Execution Data The Supreme Court ruled that for systemic errors to be identifiable, there must be written records of death penalty judgments involving dates of execution as well as delays in executions taking place. The judgment of the Court is likely to strike a balance between the rights of convicts and victims, thereby strengthening the procedural fairness enshrined in the Constitution. The directive aims at reducing the psychological trauma of protracted death-row periods and upholding the principles of justice and humanity. These directions are a progressive step toward reforming India's capital punishment framework, setting a precedent for other cases involving fundamental human rights.

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