Supreme Court issues notice to Centre on plea seeking replacement for death by hanging

The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice to Centre on a plea seeking replacement for death by hanging. The SC asked for detailed reply within three months.

The plea demanded alternative to death by hanging by stating that it is brutal and inhuman way of punishment.

While hearing the plea, the Supreme Court said that our constitution is a compassionate one which recognises principle of sanctity of life.

"With the invention of various modes in modern time, legislature can think of other mode for death convicts observed Supreme Court. Other mode other than hanging can be considered by legislature, keeping in view the dynamic progress in science," observed Supreme Court.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud issued notice to the Centre and sought its response in three weeks on the PIL which referred to the 187^th Report of the Law Commission against the present mode of execution.

Lawyer Rishi Malhotra, who filed the PIL in his personal capacity, has also referred to various apex court judgements in which the practise of hanging a death row convict has been assailed.

A provision in the Criminal Procedure Code provides that the mode of execution of death penalty would be hanging by the neck. The plea also challenges the constitutional validity of this provision.