PUDR v. Union of India

8/9/2019 PUDR v. Union of India

1/72

AFR

Chief Justice's Court

Public Interest Litigation (PIL) No 57810 of 2014

Peoples' Union for e!ocratic "ig#ts (PU")

$s

Union %f In&ia %rs

it#

ri!inal *isc rit Petition No 2+471 of 2014

,uren&ra -oli

$s

Union of In&ia %rs

.ppearance/

or petitioners /

r ug *o#it #aur3 .&ocate

along it# *r ,i&art#a3 *s "agini .#u6a

an& *s ,!riti -artiea3 .&ocates

or respon&ents/

,#ri .s#o *e#ta3 .&&l ,olicitor eneral along

it# ,#ri -ris#na .graal3 ,tan&ing ounsel3 for

t#e Union of In&ia

,#ri $i6a 9a#a&ur ,ing#3 .&ocate eneral

along it# ,#ri .#iles# ,ing#3 oern!ent

.&ocate an& ,#ri $i!len&u :ripat#i3 .&&l

oern!ent .&ocate3 for t#e ,tate

Hon'ble Dr Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud, Chief Justice

Hon'ble Pradeep u!ar "in#h $a#hel, J

(9 t#e ourt)

%he case

:#e e;ecution of t#e sentence of &eat# #ic# #as been i!pose& on


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,uren&ra -oli3 pursuant to a final 6u&g!ent #ol&ing #i! guilt of t#e

offence of #aing co!!itte& t#e !ur&er of "i!pa of t#e onstitution? :#e first of t#e to petitions as file& b t#e

Peoples' Union for e!ocratic "ig#ts1 seeing a &eclaration t#at t#e

e;ecution of t#e sentence of &eat# pursuant to t#e re6ection of a !erc

petition un&er .rticle 72 of t#e onstitution is unconstitutional an& seeing

a co!!utation of t#e sentence to i!prison!ent for life? %n +1 %ctober

20143 t#is ourt stae& t#e e;ecution of t#e sentence of &eat# b #anging?

:#e secon& petition as file& b t#e conict seeing relief in #is personal

capacit?

%n 8 ebruar 20053 t#e icti!3 #o as fourteen ears of age3 as

reporte& !issing? ,uren&ra -oli (@t#e conictA) as arreste& on 2B

ece!ber 200>? . c#arge s#eet as file& against #i! b t#e entral

9ureau of Inestigation2 #ic# inestigate& t#e cri!e3 on 1B *a 2007?

#arges ere fra!e& on 18 Cune 2007 b t#e trial court un&er ,ections

+023 +>4 an& +7> of t#e In&ian Penal o&e3 18>0 + in ,essions :rial No >11

of 2007? %n 1+ ebruar 200B3 t#e .&&itional ,essions Cu&ge3 #aDiaba&

conicte& ,uren&ra -oli of offences un&er ,ections +023 +>4 an& +7> rea&

it# ,ections 511 an& 201 an& ,ection 120E9 of t#e Penal o&e an&

sentence& #i! to &eat#? :#e coniction as up#el& an& t#e sentence

confir!e& b t#is ourt on 11 ,epte!ber 200B #ile &isposing of t#e

confir!ation #earing an& t#e appeal file& b t#e conict? . cri!inal appeal

1 PU"

2 9I

+ Penal o&e


3/72

+

as &is!isse& b t#e ,upre!e ourt on 15 ebruar 2011?

.t t#is stage3 it oul& be necessar to note t#at on + *a 20113 t#e

.&&itional ,essions Cu&ge3 #aDiaba& issue& a arrant for t#e e;ecution of

t#e sentence of &eat# un&er ,ections 41+ an& 414 of t#e o&e of ri!inal

Proce&ure3 1B7+4 an& sc#e&ule& t#e e;ecution of t#e conict between 24

*a 2011 an& +1 *a 2011 at 4?00 a!? :#e grieance of t#e conict is t#at

#e as not furnis#e& it# a notice of t#e procee&ings for t#e issuance of a

&eat# arrant nor as #e infor!e& b t#e prison officials of t#e sc#e&ule&

&ate of e;ecution?

%n 7 *a 20113 t#e conict a&&resse& a !erc petition to t#e

oernor of t#e ,tate of Uttar Pra&es# un&er .rticle 1>1 of t#e

onstitution? .ccor&ing to t#e ,tate oern!ent3 @t#e proce&ure to

entertain an& to process an !erc petition #as been prescribe& in

oern!ent %r&er No >>0F22E2E2005E17(+4>)FB2 &ate& 1+ .pril 2005A?

:#e ,tate oern!ent infor!e& t#e ourt t#at in accor&ance it# t#e

proce&ure #ic# as prescribe& in t#e oern!ent %r&er3 a letter &ate& 20

*a 2011 as a&&resse& to t#e istrict *agistrates of #aDiaba& (it#in

#ose 6uris&iction t#e offence as trie&) an& of auta! 9u Nagar

(#ere t#e offence #a& been co!!itte&) as ell as t#e Prison

,uperinten&ent3 #aDiaba& calling upon t#e! to sub!it t#eir reports on

eleen points referre& to in t#e oern!ent %r&er &ate& 1+ .pril 2005 an&

to proi&e copies of t#e 6u&g!ents of t#e trial court3 t#is ourt an& t#e

,upre!e ourt at t#e earliest? ,ubse=uentl3 re!in&ers ere a&&resse& to

4 rP


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t#e istrict *agistrates an& to t#e Prison ,uperinten&ent on B Cune 2011

an& 2 ,epte!ber 2011? . report of t#e istrict *agistrate3 auta! 9u

Nagar &ate& 18 %ctober 2012 as receie& b t#e ,tate oern!ent on 2>

%ctober 2012 (after a &ela of one ear an& fie !ont#s)? %n 10 ece!ber

20123 t#e file as forar&e& to t#e


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5

for suppling t#e infor!ation #ic# #a& been soug#t b t#e Union

oern!ent? %n 5 ebruar 20143 t#e Union oern!ent a&&resse& a

re!in&er to t#e ,tate oern!ent for proi&ing t#e infor!ation an&

&ocu!ents as soug#t? :#e ,tate oern!ent3 in turn3 a&&resse& a re!in&er

to t#e istrict *agistrate3 #aDiaba& on 1B ebruar 2014? %n 28 ebruar

20143 t#e istrict *agistrate sub!itte& t#e infor!ation re=uire& b t#e

Union oern!ent? :#e !erc petition as consi&ere& b t#e Union


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e;ecute& an& #ere no curatie petition #a& been file&? . perio& of one

!ont# as grante& for filing applications for reEopening an& listing of suc#

reie petitions #ic# #a& been &is!isse& in c#a!bers? ,ince t#e reie

petition of t#e conict in t#e present case #a& been &is!isse& on 24 Cul

20143 #e as entitle&3 in pursuance of t#e &irections of t#e ,upre!e ourt

in &ohd Arif *supra+ to #ae #is reie petition reopene& an& #ear& in

court? %n 2 ,epte!ber 20143 #ic# as t#e er &a on #ic# t#e &ecision

in &ohd Arif as &eliere& b t#e ,upre!e ourt3 a arrant for t#e

e;ecution of t#e &eat# sentence as issue& b t#e .&&itional ,essions

Cu&ge3 #aDiaba& on an application b t#e Prison ,uperinten&ent !oe& on

t#e instructions of t#e Inspector eneral of Prisons? :#e arrant sc#e&ule&

t#e e;ecution of t#e conict on any day beteen 7 ,epte!ber 2014 an& 12

,epte!ber 2014 at >?00 a!? .gain3 t#e grieance of t#e conict is t#at #e

#a& no notice about t#e procee&ing for t#e issuance of t#e &eat# arrant

an& #e as not infor!e& b prison officials about t#e sc#e&ule& &ate for

e;ecution?

%n 4 ,epte!ber 20143 t#e conict as s#ifte& fro! asna Cail at

#aDiaba& to t#e istrict 6ail at *eerut for e;ecution of t#e &eat# sentence

since t#e 6ail at #aDiaba& &i& not #ae facilities for #anging? It as at t#is

stage t#at t#e conict obtaine& nole&ge of #is i!pen&ing e;ecution? %n

> ,epte!ber 20143 an application for restoration of t#e reie petition as

file& in t#e registr of t#e ,upre!e ourt? olloing nes reports of t#e

sc#e&ule& e;ecution of t#e conict3 t#e ,upre!e ourt as !oe& at 1?00

a! on 8 ,epte!ber 2014 #en an or&er as passe& staing t#e e;ecution


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of t#e &eat# arrant issue& b t#e .&&itional ,essions Cu&ge3 #aDiaba& on

2 ,epte!ber 2014 for a perio& of one ee? :#e e;ecution of t#e conict

as stae& b t#e ,upre!e ourt on 12 ,epte!ber 2014 an& t#e #earing of

t#e reie petition as sc#e&ule& in open court on 28 %ctober 2014?

:#ereafter3 t#e conict as s#ifte& bac to asna Cail3 #aDiaba& on 17

,epte!ber 2014? :#e ,upre!e &is!isse& t#e reie petition on 28 %ctober

2014? Procee&ings before t#is ourt ere institute& on +1 %ctober 2014

#en3 on t#e petition !oe& b t#e PU"3 an interi! sta of t#e e;ecution

of t#e arrant of &eat# as grante&?

:#e total perio& #ic# #as elapse& beteen t#e sub!ission of t#e

!erc petition to t#e oernor of t#e ,tate until t#e co!!unication of t#e

re6ection of t#e !erc petition b t#e Presi&ent spans a perio& fro! 7 *a

2011 to 2 .ugust 20143 coering + ears an& + !ont#s? :#e conict #as

been in custo& since 2B ece!ber 200> for about eig#t ears? :#e total

perio& of custo& #ic# #as been suffere& un&er t#e sentence of &eat# is

about 5 ears an& 10 !ont#s? :#e perio& of + ears an& + !ont#s #ic#

#as elapse& beteen t#e filing of t#e !erc petition it# t#e oernor until

t#e final co!!unication of t#e re6ection b t#e Presi&ent3 is co!pre#en&e&

in to co!ponents? :#e first perio& beteen 7 *a 2011 an& 1B Cul 201+

of to ears an& to !ont#s is t#e perio& #ic# as taen b t#e ,tate

oern!ent fro! t#e receipt of t#e !erc petition until3 folloing t#e

re6ection b t#e oernor3 it as forar&e& to t#e Union oern!ent? :#e

secon& co!ponent co!prises of t#e perio& fro! 1B Cul 201+ to 2 .ugust

2014 H one ear an& fifteen &as H fro! t#e receipt of t#e petition b t#e


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Union oern!ent until t#e co!!unication of t#e re6ection to t#e

petitioner?

"ub!issions

:#e sub!ission #ic# #as been urge& on be#alf of t#e petitioners is

t#at t#e e;ecution of t#e sentence of &eat# in t#e present case oul& iolate

t#e rig#t to life of t#e conict un&er .rticle 21 of t#e onstitution? :#is

iolation of t#e rig#t to life is3 it is sub!itte&3 foun&e& on t#ree pre!ises to

#ic# e no turn? :#ese sub!issions are su!!arise& belo/

(I) :#ere #as been a prolonge&3 unnecessar an& aoi&able &ela

of + ears an& + !ont#s in t#e &isposal of t#e !erc petition? %f t#is

perio&3 large portions of t#e ti!e #ic# #a& elapse& are totall

une;plaine&? %ut of t#e total perio& of +?+ ears3 t#e perio& of

une;plaine& an& aoi&able &ela a!ounts to 2?> ears as e;plaine&

in t#e folloing c#art #ic# #as been place& on t#e recor& in t#e

ritten sub!issions/

Date -ent Delay

20?5?11 ,tate oern!ent ass for eleen

point report of istrict *agistrate

an& Prison ,uperinten&ent @at t#e

earliestA

ela of 1?5 ears b

istrict *agistrate to

sen& report to ,tate

oern!ent

B?>?11 ,tate oern!ent sen&s re!in&er

to istrict *agistrate an& Prison

,uperinten&ent

2?B?11 ,tate oern!ent sen&s anot#er

re!in&er to istrict *agistrate

an& Prison ,uperinten&ent


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B

2>?10?12? ,tate oern!ent receies reportof istrict *agistrate

10?12?12 ile is sent to


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Prison ,uperinten&ent for furnis#ing &ocu!ents for processing t#e

!erc petition? :#is as in a&&ition to a re!in&er #ic# as

a&&resse& b t#e entral oern!ent? :#ese re!in&ers3 it #as been

sub!itte&3 are an a&!ission of t#e &ela on t#e part of t#e aut#orities

#ic# is une;plaine& an& unnecessar

(II) :#e conict as place& in solitar confine!ent since t#e &ate

of t#e trial court 6u&g!ent on 1+ ebruar 200B #ic#3 it #as been

urge&3 stan&s a&!itte& b t#e supple!entar counter affi&ait file&

b t#e ,tate oern!ent on 15 Canuar 2015 stating t#at t#e

petitioner #a& been ept alone in a separate roo!? :#is3 it #as been

sub!itte&3 a!ounts to a iolation of t#e constitutional safeguar&s

enunciate& in "unil $atra s Delhi Ad!inistration>

(III) :#ere #ae been !anifest illegalities in t#e consi&eration of

t#e !erc petition b t#e oernor3 #ic# #ae e!erge& before t#e

ourt in pursuance of t#e inspection of files #ic# as grante& to

learne& counsel appearing for t#e petitioners b an or&er of t#is

ourt? :#ese are/

(i) :#e oern!ent %r&er &ate& 1+ .pril 2005 un&er #ic# t#e

!erc petition as processe& initiall is e; facie applicable onl

to conicts other than those sentenced to death? :#e

oern!ent %r&er applies to applications for t#e grant of

pre!ature releaseFpar&on? 1B78 rLC 1741


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t#e grant of !erc to a &eat# conict un&er .rticle 1>1 of t#e

onstitution3 #ae been applie&

(ii) :#e file notings in&icate t#at t#e Principal ,ecretar (


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petition #as not been consi&ere& eit#er b t#e oernor or b t#e

Presi&ent?

%n be#alf of t#e Union of In&ia3 it #as been sub!itte& b t#e

.&&itional ,olicitor eneral t#at E

(i) . &ela of 7?5 !ont#s in t#e &isposal of t#e !erc petition

beteen t#e &ate of t#e receipt of files fro! t#e ,tate oern!ent

an& t#e ulti!ate &ecision cannot be regar&e& as being

&isproportionate

(ii) :#e Union *inistr of


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be co!!itte& again is a !atter #ic# s#oul& be consi&ere& an& t#e

fact t#at t#e conict in t#e present case is a serial iller coul& !ilitate

against t#e e;ercise of 6u&icial reie

(i) In ie of t#e proisions of .rticle 1>+ (+) of t#e onstitution3

t#e =uestion #et#er an3 an& if so #at3 a&ice as ten&ere& b

ouncil of *inisters to t#e oernor s#all not be in=uire& into in

an court?

:#e .&ocate eneral appearing on be#alf of t#e ,tate #as urge&

t#at H

(i) ela is onl one of t#e circu!stances #ic# s#oul& be borne in

!in& b t#e court in t#e e;ercise of its poer of 6u&icial reie an&

t#e court oul& be 6ustifie& in looing at t#e &eprait of t#e cri!e

an& t#e circu!stances in #ic# t#e offence as co!!itte& inclu&ing

t#e pattern of a series of offences in t#e present case

(ii) %n 1B .pril 20113 t#e conict sub!itte& a letter to t#e ,upre!e

ourt after t#e ,upre!e ourt #a& &is!isse& #is cri!inal appeal on

15 ebruar 20113 seeing a re#earing or reference to a larger 9enc#?

%his re2uest as re6ecte& b t#e "egistrar of t#e ,upre!e ourt on

2> %ctober 2012? %n 1+ ebruar 201+3 an appeal against t#e

re6ection of t#e representation b t#e "egistrar as also &is!isse& b

t#e ,upre!e ourt an&

(iii) :#e e;planation of t#e ,tate oern!ent for t#e &ela #ic#

#as taen place in t#e &isposal of t#e !erc procee&ings is t#at


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because a petition as file& b t#e conict before t#e ,upre!e

ourt3 t#ere as a genuine appre#ension t#at t#e coniction #as not

beco!e final? :#is e;planation is a possible e;planation an& s#oul&

not be &ealt it# !at#e!atical e;actitu&e? Gen if3 arguabl3 t#is as

a !isconstruction of t#e application #ic# as sub!itte& b t#e

conict3 t#e ,tate oern!ent acte& it# abun&ant caution an& t#e

e;planation oug#t to be accepte&? *oreoer3 t#e &ela as also

because infor!ation as calle& on eleen points on t#e basis of t#e

oern!ent %r&er &ate& 1+ .pril 2005 fro! t#e istrict *agistrates

an& fro! t#e Prison ,uperinten&ent #ic# as aaite&?

:#e rial sub!issions no fall for consi&eration?

Constitutional principle

eat# ro 6urispru&ence in In&ia #as eole& as a #u!aniDing

co!ponent in t#e e;ecution of t#e &eat# penalt? .rticle 21 of t#e

onstitution3 #ic# guarantees to eer person t#e rig#t to life3 postulates

e;istence it# &ignit? .n &epriation of life or3 for t#at !atter3 of

personal libert3 !ust accor& it# t#e &ictates of .rticle 21? :#e proce&ure

for &epriation #as to be fair3 6ust an& reasonable?

:#e constitutional ali&it of t#e &eat# penalt #as been up#el& in

$achan "in#h s "tate of Punjab34? 9ut3 t#e e;ecution of t#e sentence of

&eat#3 #en it is i!pose& in @t#e rarest of rare casesA #as to confor! to t#e

nor!s e!bo&ie& in .rticle 21? . prolonge& &ela in t#e e;ecution of t#e

sentence of &eat# #as a &e#u!aniDing effect on t#e conict an&3 as a ell

10 (1B80) 2 , >84


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settle& principle of our constitutional 6urispru&ence3 is regar&e& as a

&epriation of t#e rig#t to life itself? eat# ro 6urispru&ence #as eole&

nor!s an& stan&ar&s for 6u&icial reie b #ic# t#e perio& #ic# #as

been spent in t#e &isposal of !erc petitions un&er .rticles 72 an& 1>1 of

t#e onstitution #as to confor! to stan&ar&s of fairness? I!plicit in t#is is

t#e re=uire!ent t#at suc# applications !ust be &ispose& of it#out a

prolonge& an& unnecessar &ela? %nce a 6u&g!ent of coniction an& t#e

aar& of t#e &eat# penalt attain finalit3 6urispru&ential nor!s of fair

treat!ent i!pose &uties an& constitutional obligations an& t#e court3 as t#e

ulti!ate arbiter of constitutional &octrine is &ut boun& to ensure t#at t#ere

#as been no aoi&able or unnecessar &ela? .n &ela #ic# is regar&e&

as prolonge& an& unnecessar i!poses upon t#e conict an a&&itional

perio& of incarceration #ic# is not it#in t#e conte!plation of t#e la? .

conict un&er a sentence of &eat# is sub6ect to an intense psc#ological

stress3 cause& b t#e trau!a of t#e uncertaint of life itself? Cu&icial

recognition of #at is &escribe& as t#e &eat# ro p#eno!enon #as eole&

into a constitutional stan&ar& t#at t#e e;ecution of a sentence of &eat#

s#oul& not be unnecessaril prolonge&? :#is is but an intrinsic part of t#e

eoling stan&ar&s of &ecenc &erie& fro! constitutional principle?

"etribution an& &eterrence #ic# un&erlie t#e &eat# penalt is balance& b

t#e necessit of #u!anising penological i!peraties? :#ese #u!anising

perspecties are #all!ars of a !ature an& ciilise& societ an& of a legal

or&er suc# as ours #ere t#e ali&ation of all public acts is foun&e& on

constitutionalis! an& constitutional !oralit? In recognising eer person's


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rig#t to lie an& to be secure against t#e &epriation of t#at rig#t e;cept b

a proce&ure #ic# is fair3 t#e onstitution alues t#e #u!an being in eer

person inclu&ing a conict? :#e offence co!!itte& is not obliterate& but

neit#er is t#e #u!an ele!ent in eer person efface& eit#er in fact or b a

fiction of la?

eat# ro 6urispru&ence operates in an area co!!encing it# t#e

postEconiction stage after t#e aar& of t#e &eat# penalt #as attaine&

finalit? In t#e e;ercise of its poer of 6u&icial reie3 t#e constitutional

court ill appl ell settle& tests in &eter!ining #et#er3 in t#e

circu!stances #ic# #ae e!erge& before t#e court3 t#e &epriation of t#e

rig#t to life b t#e e;ecution of a sentence of &eat# oul& be ren&ere&

arbitrar an&3 t#erefore3 iolatie of .rticles 14 an& 21 of t#e onstitution?

#ere t#e !anner of consi&eration of a !erc petition can be faulte& on

t#e groun& t#at a constitutional aut#orit #as borne in !in& or taen into

account irreleant circu!stances or3 #ere it is &e!onstrate& t#at

circu!stances #ic# are ger!ane #ae been ignore&3 t#at oul& be a

groun& for t#e e;ercise of t#e poer of 6u&icial reie? ,i!ilarl3 #ere

t#e constitutional poer to &eci&e a !erc petition #as been e;ercise& for

e;traneous consi&erations3 t#e poer of 6u&icial reie oul& e;ten& to a

&eclaration t#at t#e e;ecution of t#e sentence of &eat# oul& be

unconstitutional an& t#e sentence !ust be substitute& b a sentence of

i!prison!ent for life?

:#e test of &ela in t#e e;ecution of t#e sentence of &eat# #ic# #as

been eole& in In&ia oer t#e last t#ree &eca&es is an ob6ectie test? :#e


17/72

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test re=uires t#e court to &eter!ine #et#er a &ela #ic# #as occurre& in

t#e e;ecution of t#e &eat# sentence after t#e 6u&g!ent of coniction #a&

attaine& finalit #a& been aoi&able or unnecessar? "e=uiring t#e court to

scrutiniDe t#e reasons for t#e &ela i!parts a !easure of ob6ectiit to t#e

process since t#ere can be no greater anat#e!a to t#e la t#an a sub6ectie

application of nor!s an& stan&ar&s in t#e e;ecution of t#e &eat# penalt? .s

an intrinsic part of t#is &octrine3 #ic# is a no settle& part of our la3 t#e

true test is not #et#er t#e &ela #as crosse& a particular t#res#ol& of ti!e?

:#e =uantu! test is not accepte& as a part of constitutional &octrine in

In&ia?


18/72

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significant point to note is t#at t#ere is no t#u!b rule of a particular

=uantu! of &ela or a particular perio& being regar&e& as a 6ustification for

granting !erc? It is not t#e =uantu! of &ela but t#e reason for &ela

#ic# assu!es significance?

Precedent

In % atheeswaran s "tate of %a!il 5adu333 t#e ,upre!e ourt

#el& t#at a prolonge& &etention to aait t#e e;ecution of a sentence of

&eat# constitutes an un6ust3 unfair an& unreasonable proce&ure for t#e

&epriation of life? :#e ,upre!e ourt #el& t#at prolonge& &ela #as t#e

effect of &e#u!aniDing t#e person #o is un&er t#e sentence of &eat# an&

t#is ele!ent of &e#u!aniDing iolates t#e rig#t to life un&er .rticle 21/

@???.rticles 143 1B an& 21 are not !utuall

e;clusie? :#e sustain3 strengt#en an& nouris# eac#

ot#er? :#e are aailable to prisoners as ell as free

!en? Prison alls &o not eep out un&a!ental "ig#ts?

. person un&er sentence of &eat# !a also clai!

un&a!ental "ig#ts? :#e fiat of .rt? 213 as e;plaine&3 is

t#at an proce&ure #ic# &epries a person of #is life or

libert !ust be 6ust3 fair an& reasonable? Cust3 fair an&

reasonable proce&ure i!plies a rig#t to free legal

serices #ere #e cannot aail t#e!? It i!plies a rig#t to

a spee& trial? It i!plies #u!ane con&itions of &etection3 preentie or punitie? 'Proce&ure establis#e& b la'

&oes not en& it# t#e pronounce!ent of sentence it

inclu&es t#e carring out of sentence? :#at is as far as

e #ae gone so far? It see!s to us but a s#ort step3 but a

step in t#e rig#t &irection3 to #ol& t#at prolonge&

11 (1B8+) 2 , >8


19/72

1B

&etention to aait t#e e;ecution of a sentence of &eat# is

an un6ust3 unfair an& unreasonable proce&ure an& t#e

onl a to un&o t#e rong is to =uas# t#e sentence of

&eat#???t#e &e#u!anising factor of prolonge& &ela in

t#e e;ecution of a sentence of &eat# #as t#e

constitutional i!plication of &epriing a person of #is

life in an un6ust3 unfair an& unreasonable a as to

offen& t#e onstitutional guarantee t#at no person s#all

be &eprie& of #is life or personal libert e;cept

accor&ing to proce&ure establis#e& b la? :#e

appropriate relief in suc# a case is to acate t#e sentence

of &eat#?A


20/72

20

@. prisoner #o #as e;perience& liing &eat# for

ears on en& is t#erefore entitle& to inoe t#e

6uris&iction of t#is ourt for e;a!ining t#e =uestion

#et#er3 after all t#e agon an& tor!ent #e #as been

sub6ecte& to3 it is 6ust an& fair to allo t#e sentence of

&eat# to be e;ecute&? :#at is t#e true i!plication of

.rticle 21 of t#e onstitution an& to t#at e;tent3 e

e;press our broa& an& respectful agree!ent it# our

learne& 9ret#ren in t#eir isualisation of t#e !eaning of

t#at article? :#e #oriDons of .rticle 21 are eer i&ening

an& t#e final or& on its conspectus s#all neer #ae

been sai&? ,o long as life lasts3 so long s#all it be t#e

&ut an& en&eaour of t#is ourt to gie to t#e

proisions of our onstitution a !eaning #ic# ill

preent #u!an suffering an& &egra&ation? :#erefore3

.rticle 21 is as !uc# releant at t#e stage of e;ecution

of t#e &eat# sentence as it is in t#e interregnu! beteen

t#e i!position of t#at sentence an& its e;ecution? :#e

essence of t#e !atter is t#at all proce&ure3 no !atter

#at t#e stage3 !ust be fair3 6ust an& reasonable? It isellEestablis#e& t#at a prisoner cannot be torture& or

sub6ecte& to unfair or in#u!an treat!ent? (,ee

Prab#aar Pan&urang ,angDgiri1+3 9#uan *o#an

Patnai 14 an& ,unil 9atra15)? It is a logical e;tension of

t#e selfEsa!e principle t#at t#e &eat# sentence3 een if

6ustifiabl i!pose&3 cannot be e;ecute& if superening

eents !ae its e;ecution #ars#3 un6ust or unfair? .rticle

21 stan&s lie a sentinel oer #u!an !iser3 &egra&ation

an& oppression? Its oice is t#e oice of 6ustice an& fair

pla? :#at oice can neer be silence& on t#e groun& t#at

t#e ti!e to #ee& to its i!peraties is long since past in

1+ (1B>>) 1 ," 702 / .I" 1B>> , 424 / (1B>>) 1 ,C >7B / 1B>> ri LC +11

14 1B74 , (ri) 80+ /.I" 1B74 , 20B2 (1B75) 2 ," 24 / (1B75) + , 185

15 .I" 1B78 , 1>75 / 1B78 ri LC 1741 / (1B7B) 1 ," +B2 / (1B78) 4 , 4B4 / 1B7B , (ri) 155


21/72

21

t#e stor of a trial? It reerberates t#roug# all stagesEt#e

trial3 t#e sentence3 t#e incarceration an& finall3 t#e

e;ecution of t#e sentence?A

:#e &ecision in "her "in#h3 #oeer3 &iffere& it# t#e ie #ic#

as taen b t#e earlier 9enc# in % atheeswaran *supra+ insofar as it

#a& #el& t#at a perio& of to ears s#oul& be regar&e& as t#e outer li!it

beon& #ic# t#e e;ecution of t#e sentence of &eat# oul& inole an

infraction of .rticle 21 of t#e onstitution? :#at part of t#e &ecision in %

atheeswaran as &isapproe& in t#e folloing obserations/

@???9ut3 accor&ing to us3 no #ar& an& fast rule can

be lai& &on as our learne& 9ret#ren #ae &one t#at1>

J&ela e;cee&ing to ears in t#e e;ecution of a

sentence of &eat# s#oul& be consi&ere& sufficient to

entitle t#e person un&er sentence to &eat# to inoe

.rticle 21 an& &e!an& t#e =uas#ing of t#e sentence of

&eat#J? :#is perio& of to ears purports to #ae been

fi;e& in $at#eesaran17 after !aing18 Jall reasonable

alloance for t#e ti!e necessar for appeal an&

consi&eration of reprieeJ? it# great respect3 e fin& it

i!possible to agree it# t#is part of t#e 6u&g!ent???A

:#e &ecision in "her "in#h *supra+ also e!p#asise& t#at it as

@releant to consi&er #et#er t#e &ela in t#e e;ecution of t#e &eat#

sentence as attributable to t#e fact t#at (t#e conict) #as resorte& to a

series of untenable procee&ings #ic# #ae t#e effect of &efeating t#e en&s

1> K, para 213 p? 7B / , (ri) p? +5+

17 (1B8+) 1 ,cale 115 / (1B8+) 2 , >8 / 1B8+ , (ri) +42

18 K, para 213 p? 7B / , (cri) p? +5+


22/72

22

of 6usticeA1B/

@It is not unco!!on t#at a series of reie

petitions an& rit petitions are file& in t#is ourt to

c#allenge 6u&g!ents an& or&ers #ic# #ae assu!e&

finalit3 it#out an see!ing 6ustification? ,ta or&ers

are obtaine& in t#ose procee&ings an& t#en3 at t#e en&

of it all3 co!es t#e argu!ent t#at t#ere #as been

prolonge& &ela in i!ple!enting t#e 6u&g!ent or or&er?

e beliee t#at t#e ourt calle& upon to acate a &eat#

sentence on t#e groun& of &ela cause& in e;ecuting t#at

sentence !ust fin& # t#e &ela as cause& an& #o

is responsible for it? If t#is is not &one3 t#e la lai&

&on b t#is ourt ill beco!e an ob6ect of ri&icule b

per!itting a person to &efeat it b resorting to friolous

procee&ings in or&er to &ela its i!ple!entation .n&

t#en3 t#e rule of to ears ill beco!e a #an& tool for

&efeating 6ustice? :#e &eat# sentence s#oul& not3 as far

as possible3 be i!pose&? 9ut3 in t#at rare an&

e;ceptional class of cases #erein t#at sentence is

up#el& b t#is ourt3 t#e 6u&g!ent or or&er of t#is ourt

oug#t not to be alloe& to be &efeate& b appling an

rule of t#u!b?A

In t#e ie of t#e ,upre!e ourt3 #en t#e ourt is calle& upon to acate

a &eat# sentence on t#e groun& of &ela cause& in t#e e;ecution of t#e

sentence3 it !ust en=uire into an& @find why the delay was caused and

who is responsible for itA? :#e 6u&g!ent of t#e ,upre!e ourt i!presse&

upon t#e Union an& t#e ,tate oern!ents t#e nee& to &ispose of petitions

un&er .rticles 72 an& 1>1 of t#e onstitution e;pe&itiousl an& suggeste&

1B Para 1B at page +5>


23/72

2+

a selfEi!pose& rule b #ic# eer suc# petition s#oul& be &ispose& of

it#in a perio& of t#ree !ont#s fro! t#e &ate on #ic# it as receie&?

84

21 (1B88) 4 , 574


24/72

24

in t#e lig#t of all circu!stances of t#e case to &eci&e

#et#er t#e e;ecution of sentence s#oul& be carrie& out

or s#oul& be altere& into i!prison!ent for life? No

fi;e& perio& of &ela coul& be #el& to !ae t#e

sentence of &eat# inEe;ecutable an& to t#is e;tent t#e

&ecision in $at#eesaran's case cannot be sai& to la

&on t#e correct la an& t#erefore to t#at e;tent stan&s

oerrule&?J

.!ong t#e principles #ic# #ae been lai& &on b t#e onstitution

9enc#3 t#e folloing oul& !erit e!p#asis for t#e purposes of t#e present

procee&ings/

(i) :#e &ela #ic# #as to be consi&ere& #ile &ealing it# t#e

=uestion of co!!uting t#e sentence of &eat# into life i!prison!ent

is t#e &ela #ic# #as occurre& after t#e 6u&icial processes #as co!e

to an en& upon t#e pronounce!ent of t#e 6u&g!ent b t#e ,upre!e

ourt

(ii) #ile consi&ering t#e =uestion of &ela after t#e final er&ict

as pronounce&3 ti!e #ic# #as been spent on a petition for reie

an& on repeate& !erc petitions at t#e instance of t#e conict s#all

not be consi&ere&

(iii) :#e onl &ela #ic# oul& be !aterial for consi&eration

oul& be t#e &ela in t#e &isposal of t#e !erc petition?


25/72

25

&aharashtra

773 t#e ,upre!e ourt #el& t#at t#e &ela #ic# #a& taen

place after t#e 6u&icial process #a& co!e to an en& upon t#e &isposal of t#e

special leae petition against t#e coniction an& sentence as cause& b

t#e petitioners? Gac# of t#e! #a& preferre& a reie petition an& een after

t#e &is!issal of t#e reie petitions3 fres# rit petitions ere file&

folloe& b reie petitions against t#e &is!issal of t#e rit petitions?

Gen t#ereafter3 furt#er rit petitions ere file& un&er .rticle +2 of t#e

onstitution before t#e ,upre!e ourt? In t#is ie of t#e !atter3 t#e

,upre!e ourt obsere& t#at for a part of t#e perio& of &ela3 t#e

petitioners #o #a& taen resort to successie petitions #a& been

responsible? .not#er &ecision #ic# #ig#lig#ts a case in t#e sa!e genre is

Ju!!an han s "tate of . P79?

:#e position t#at no rule of t#u!b in regar& to a particular =uantu!

of &ela can be applie& or #as been applie& is also note& fro! a 6u&g!ent

&eliere& b t#e ,upre!e ourt in Daya "in#h s .nion of (ndia7:? In

t#at case3 t#e accuse& as conicte& an& sentence& to &eat#? :#e

coniction an& sentence attaine& finalit after t#e &is!issal of #is special

leae petition b t#e ,upre!e ourt? :#e conict file& !erc petitions

before t#e oernor an& t#e Presi&ent of In&ia #ic# ere also re6ecte&?

:#e petition file& on be#alf of t#e conict as also a part of t#e batc# of

petitions #ic# as &ispose& b t#e ,upre!e ourt in %ri-eniben *supra+?

:#e petitioner t#en file& a !erc petition before t#e oernor of t#e ,tate

on 18 Noe!ber 1B88 an& t#e !atter re!aine& pen&ing3 aaiting t#e final

22 (1B8+) + , +54

2+ (1BB1) 1 , 752

24 (1BB1) + , >1


26/72

2>

outco!e of #is petition? :#e ,upre!e ourt #el& t#at t#ere as no reason

for eeping t#e !erc petition #ic# as file& b t#e petitioner3 in

abeance for oer to ears? :#e ,upre!e ourt obsere& as follos/

@In absence of an reasonable e;planation b t#e

respon&ents e are of t#e ie t#at if t#e concerne&

officers #a& bestoe& t#e necessar attention to t#e

!atter an& &eote& t#e ti!e its urgenc nee&e&3 e #ae

no &oubt t#at t#e entire process of consi&eration of t#e

=uestions referre& oul& #ae been co!plete& it#in a

reasonable perio& it#out leaing an aning gap

rig#tl &escribe& b t#e learne& .&&itional ,olicitor

eneral as Je!barrassing gapJ? %here has, thus, been

an a-oidable delay3 #ic# is consi&erable in t#e totalit

of circu!stances in t#e present case3 for which the

conde!ned prisoner is in no way responsible?A

(e!p#asis supplie&)

In aa ,ing# t#e ,upre!e ourt applie& t#e test #et#er t#ere #as been

an a-oidable delay?

In De-ender Pal "in#h $hullar s "tate *5C% of Delhi+7)3 a

9enc# of to learne& Cu&ges of t#e ,upre!e ourt #el& t#at (i) if a !ur&er

is co!!itte& in an e;tre!el brutal or &astar&l !anner3 #ic# gies rise

to intense an& e;tre!e in&ignation in t#e co!!unit3 t#e ourt !a be

full 6ustifie& in aar&ing t#e &eat# penalt? :#e Presi&ent or t#e oernor

in t#e e;ercise of t#e poer un&er .rticle 72 an& .rticle 1>1 of t#e

onstitution oul& be 6ustifie& in consi&ering t#e enor!it of t#e cri!e

an& a &ecision not to entertain a praer for !erc cannot be regar&e& as

25 (201+) > , 1B5


27/72

27

arbitrar nor can t#e ourt e;ercise t#e poer of 6u&icial reie onl on

t#e groun& of &ela an& (ii) t#e rule #ic# as enunciate& in "her "in#h

*supra+ an& ot#er cases t#at long &ela !a be one of t#e groun&s for

co!!utation of &eat# sentence into i!prison!ent for life cannot be

inoe& in cases #ere a person is conicte& for offences un&er :.. or

si!ilar statutes? 9efore &isposing of t#e procee&ings3 t#e ,upre!e ourt

also too note of t#e &ela #ic# as being cause& on t#e part of t#e

Union oern!ent in &isposing of !erc petitions an& e;presse& t#e #ope

t#at in future suc# petitions oul& be &ispose& of it#out unreasonable

&ela?

In "hatru#han Chauhan *supra+ #ic# as a &ecision of t#ree

learne& Cu&ges, t#e ,upre!e ourt consi&ere& a batc# of petitions un&er

.rticle +2 of t#e onstitution file& b conicts #o #a& been aar&e& t#e

&eat# sentence3 t#e !e!bers of t#eir fa!ilies or b public spirite& bo&ies

inclu&ing PU" folloing t#e re6ection of !erc petitions b t#e ,tate

oern!ent? .!ong t#e superening eents #ic# ere relie& upon

before t#e ,upre!e ourt in support of t#e plea of a co!!utation of t#e

&eat# sentence to life i!prison!ent ere/

i) ela

ii) Insanit

iii) ,olitar confine!ent

i) Cu&g!ents &eclare& per incuria! an&

) Proce&ural lapses

:#e principles of la #ic# #ae e!erge& fro! t#e 6u&g!ent of t#e


28/72

28

,upre!e ourt !a be for!ulate& for conenience of analsis? :#ese

principles are/

(i) .n un&ue long &ela in t#e e;ecution of t#e sentence of &eat#

oul& entitle a con&e!ne& prisoner to approac# t#e constitutional

court seeing co!!utation to i!prison!ent for life

(ii) In &eci&ing upon suc# a plea3 t#e ourt oul& onl e;a!ine t#e

circu!stances surroun&ing t#e &ela t#at #as occurre& an& t#ose t#at

#ae ensue& after t#e sentence as finall confir!e& b t#e 6u&icial

process

(iii) -eeping a conict in suspense #ile a !erc petition is being

consi&ere& un&er .rticle 72 or .rticle 1>1 for !an ears is a !atter

of agon #ic# creates a&erse p#sical an& psc#ological

con&itions

(i) :#e ourt #ile consi&ering a plea for co!!utation cannot

e;cuse an agoniDing &ela cause& to t#e conict onl on t#e basis of

t#e grait of t#e cri!e

() :#oug#3 no ti!e li!it can be fi;e& for t#e Presi&ent an& t#e

oernor to &ispose of !erc petitions3 it is t#e &ut of t#e

e;ecutie to e;pe&ite t#e !atter at e-ery sta#e inclu&ing calling for

t#e recor&s3 or&ers an& &ocu!ents file& in court3 preparation of a

note for approal of t#e !inister concerne& an& t#e ulti!ate &ecision

of t#e constitutional aut#orit

(i) .n un&ue3 une;plaine& an& inor&inate &ela in e;ecution of t#e


29/72

2B

sentence of &eat# &ue to pen&enc of !erc petitions oul& entitle

t#e ourt to #ear t#e grieance of t#e conict an& co!!ute t#e

sentence of &eat# into i!prison!ent for life

(ii) #ere t#e e;ecutie or t#e constitutional aut#orities #ae faile&

to tae note of or consi&er releant aspects3 t#at in&epen&entl

oul& 6ustif t#e inocation of t#e 6uris&iction to co!!ute a

sentence of &eat# into i!prison!ent for life

(iii) :#e a!bit of .rticle 21 traels beon& t#e pronouncing of t#e

sentence an& e;ten&s to t#e e;ecution of t#e sentence? #ere t#ere is

a prolonge& &ela in t#e e;ecution of t#e sentence of &eat# beon&

t#e control of t#e prisoner3 t#at oul& !an&ate t#e co!!utation of

t#e sentence

(i;) :#e constitutional aut#orities3 #ile &isposing of !erc

petitions !ust be !a&e aare of t#e &ela #ic# #as been cause& 'at

t#eir en&' #ic# #as to be consi&ere& #ile arriing at a &ecision on

t#e !erc petition

(;) #ere a conict !oes t#e ourt it# a plea of co!!utation on

t#e groun& t#at t#e &ela in e;ecution of t#e sentence #as iolate&

t#e rig#t to life un&er .rticle 213 #eFs#e approac#es t#e ourt as a

icti! of a iolation of a guarantee& fun&a!ental rig#t as &istinct

fro! a cri!inal appeal against t#e coniction an& sentence #ere

#eFs#e is accuse& of an offence

(;i) %nl &ela #ic# coul& not #ae been aoi&e& een if t#e


30/72

+0

!atter as procee&e& it# a sense of urgenc or as cause& in

essential preparations for t#e e;ecution of t#e sentence !a be a

releant factor in a petition un&er .rticle +2 of t#e onstitution

(;ii) onsi&erations suc# as t#e grait of t#e cri!e3 t#e

e;traor&inar cruelt inole& or t#e #orrible conse=uence for

societ are not releant after t#e 6u&g!ent of t#e ,upre!e ourt in

$achan "in#h *supra+ since t#e sentence of &eat# can onl be

i!pose& in t#e rarest of rare cases?

(;iii) .n un&ue or prolonge& &ela in t#e e;ecution of t#e sentence

of &eat# oul& a!ount to an a&&itional incarceration of t#e conict

an& oul& be unconstitutional?

,ignificantl3 t#e &ecision of t#e ,upre!e ourt in $hullar's case as

#el& to be per incuria! in "hatru#han Chauhan? :#e ,upre!e ourt #el&

t#at t#ere as no basis to &is=ualif cases un&er t#e :.. as a class fro!

relief on account of a &ela in t#e e;ecution of t#e sentence of &eat#?

:#e &ecision in "hatru#han Chauhan #as been subse=uentl

folloe& in recent &ecisions of t#e ,upre!e ourt? In "riharan alias

&uru#an s .nion of (ndia7;3 t#e ,upre!e ourt #as once again

e!p#asiDe& t#at H (i) an inor&inate &ela in t#e &isposal of a !erc petition

oul& ren&er t#e process of e;ecution of t#e &eat# sentence arbitrar3

#i!sical an& capricious (ii) regar&less an& in&epen&ent of t#e suffering

it causes3 &ela !aes t#e process of e;ecution of t#e sentence unfair3

unreasonable3 arbitrar an& capricious an&3 #ence3 iolatie of .rticle 21 of

2> .I" 2014 , 1+>8


31/72

+1

t#e onstitution an& (iii) a conict #o co!plains of aoi&able an&

prolonge& &ela in t#e e;ecution of t#e sentence of &eat# is un&er no

obligation to pro&uce ei&ence of suffering or t#e #ar! cause& on account

of t#e &ela? Proof of actual #ar! is not a re=uire!ent of la to sustain a

plea of co!!utation?

In 5a-neet aur s "tate *5C% of Delhi+74

28 (2014) 1+ ,.LG 7>23 2014 ,:PL (eb) 845 ,


32/72

+2

#el& t#at t#oug# no ti!e li!it can be fi;e& for t#e &isposal of a !erc

petition3 a perio& of t#ree ears an& ten !ont#s in t#at case fell it#in t#e

a!bit of an inor&inate &ela? :#e &ela as not on account of t#e

petitioner or as a result of an procee&ings initiate& b #i!? :#e secon&

groun& #ic# eig#e& it# t#e ,upre!e ourt as t#at t#e petitioner #a&

been place& in solitar confine!ent since t#e &a on #ic# #e as

aar&e& t#e sentence of &eat# contrar to t#e principles enunciate& in

"unil $atra? :#e ,upre!e ourt #el& t#at t#e co!bine& effect of t#e

inor&inate &ela in t#e &isposal of t#e !erc petition an& solitar

confine!ent for suc# a long perio& #a& cause& a &epriation of t#e rig#t to

life un&er .rticle 21 an& conse=uentl3 co!!ute& t#e sentence to one of

life i!prison!ent?

Co!parati-e law = %he position in other jurisdictions

Pri-y Council

Frietas s $enny71

as an initial case3 &ealt it# b t#e Pri

ouncil relating to t#e &eat# ro p#eno!enon? :#e Pri ouncil #el& t#at

a &ela of t#ree ears prece&ing t#e cle!enc petition of t#e prisoner

#ic# as cause& b #is on action of appealing against #is coniction

coul& not be consi&ere& as a groun& for co!plaint? :#is principle as

folloe& in Abbott s Attorney 8eneral of %rinidad and %oba#o94

#ere t#e Pri ouncil #el& t#at t#e &ela cause& b t#e use of 6u&icial

processes b a prisoner coul& not be use& as an ei&ence of in#u!anit? .

total &ela of eig#t !ont#s3 after t#ree ears of appeal an& to ears of a

2B 1B7> . 2+B (P)

+0 K1B7B 1 L" 1 +42 (P)


33/72

++

par&on petition3 as e;clu&e& fro! t#e total perio& of &ela an& t#e &ela

as not regar&e& as inor&inate? In Riley > ?rs s Attorney 8eneral of

Ja!aica933 t#e conicts argue& t#at t#e prolonge& &ela in t#eir e;ecution

#a& cause& t#e! !ental anguis# an& t#eir punis#!ent as in#u!an an&

&egra&ing? In a !a6orit opinion ren&ere& b Lor& #ancellor3 Lor&

iploc an& Lor& 9ri&ge of


34/72

+4

sentence of &eat# for !an ears? #at gies rise to t#is

instinctie reulsionM :#e anser can onl be our

#u!anit/ e regar& it as an in#u!an act to eep a !an

facing t#e agon of e;ecution oer a long e;ten&e&

perio& of ti!e?A

In t#e ie of Lor& riffit#/

@???if &ela is &ue entirel to t#e fault of t#e accuse&

suc# as an escape fro! custo& or friolous an& ti!eE

asting resort to legal proce&ures #ic# a!ount to an

abuse of process3 t#e accuse& cannot be alloe& to tae

a&antage of t#at &ela?

!uc# !ore &ifficult =uestion is #et#er t#e

&ela occasione& b t#e legiti!ate resort of t#e accuse& to

all aailable appellate proce&ures s#oul& be taen into

account3 or #et#er it is onl &ela t#at can be attribute&

to t#e s#ortco!ings of t#e ,tate t#at s#oul& be taen into

account? :#ere is a poerful argu!ent t#at it cannot be

in#u!an or &egra&ing to allo an accuse& eer

opportunit to prolong #is life b resort to appellate proce&ures #oeer e;ten&e& !a be t#e eentual ti!e

beteen sentence an& e;ecution?

666it is part of the hu!an condition that a

conde!ned !an will ta@e e-ery opportunity to sa-e his

life throu#h use of the appellate procedure6 (f the

appellate procedure enables the prisoner to prolon#

the appellate hearin#s o-er a period of years, the fault

is to be attributed to the appellate syste! that per!its

such delay and not to the prisoner who ta@es

ad-anta#e of it666.ppellate proce&ures t#at ec#o &on t#e

ears are not co!patible it# capital punis#!ent???:#e

&eat# ro p#eno!enon !ust not beco!e establis#e& as a


35/72

+5

part of our 6urispru&enceA?

uropean Court of Hu!an Ri#hts

In "oerin# s .nited in#do!9;3 t#e issue as #et#er t#e

e;tra&ition of a fugitie to $irginia in t#e U ,3 #ere capital punis#!ent

#a& not been abolis#e&3 a!ounte& to a iolation of .rticle + of t#e

Guropean onention for t#e Protection of


36/72

+>

.n interesting reie of t#e position in arious 6uris&ictions #as

been trace& in an .rticle b ig#t .arons title& @an inor&inate &ela

beteen a &eat# sentence an& e;ecution constitute cruel an& unusual

punis#!entMA "ecognising t#e &eat# ro p#eno!enon3 t#e article states/

@*ental strain is t#e !ost obious collateral

conse=uence e;perience& b capital &efen&ants on &eat#ro for an inor&inate perio& of ti!e? :picall3 &eat# ro

in!ates are confine& to t#eir cells for t#e great !a6orit

of eac# &a an& #ae relatiel li!ite& opportunities to

e;ercise or co!!unicate it# ot#er in!ates or

in&ii&uals fro! outsi&e t#e prison? "esearc# on t#e

i!pact of t#is confine!ent in&icates t#at in!ates e;#ibit

seeral e!otional an& psc#ological stages+7? apital

&efen&ants #ae been &escribe& as e;periencing a @liing

&eat#?A ears ago3 .lbert a!us rote of t#e @to

&eat#sA t#at are i!pose& on a person sentence& to &eat#

an& confine& to &eat# ro+8? :#ese &ebilitating effects

#ae3 of late3 been classifie& b so!e courts as t#e @&eat#

ro p#eno!enon+B?A :#e &eat# ro p#eno!enon is an

ancillar3 unaut#oriDe& corollar of a &eat# sentence? :#e

anguis# suffere& &uring t#e inor&inate &ela !aes @no

!easurable contribution to acceptable goals of

punis#!ent an& #ence is not#ing !ore t#an t#e

purposeless an& nee&less i!position of pain an&

suffering

40

?A #en it is e;perience& beon& t#at #ic# isnecessar3 t#e &eat# ro p#eno!enon s#oul& be iee&

as an e;cessie for! of punis#!ent? .s suc#3 a state !a3

oer ti!e3 forfeit its abilit to go forar& it# an

+7 ,ee "obert Co#nson3 Un&er ,entence of eat#/ :#e Psc#olog of eat# "o onfine!ent3 5 La

Psc#ol "e 141 (1B7B)+8 ,ee .lbert a!us3 "eflections on t#e uillotine 25E2B ("ic#ar& 0)

+B ,ee ,oering $s Unite& -ing&o!3 11 Gur < " "ep 4+B (1B8B)

40 oer $s eorgia3 4++ U, 5843 5B2 (1B77)


37/72

+7

apparentl lafull i!pose& &eat# sentence because t#e

e;ecution no iolates t#e Gig#t# .!en&!ent?A

:#e reference in t#e aboe =uotation to Albert Ca!us is fro!

'Reflection on the 8uillotine':3 #ere #e obsere& as follos/

@???or t#e !an con&e!ne& to &eat#3 on t#e ot#er

#an&3 t#e #orror of #is situation is sere& up to #i! at

eer !o!ent for !ont#s on en&? :orture b #ope

alternates onl it# t#e pangs of ani!al &espair?


38/72

+8

re=uires t#e Cail ,uperinten&ent3 on receipt of an inti!ation of t#e

&is!issal b t#e ,upre!e ourt of an appeal or special leae petition to

infor! t#e conict fort#it# t#at #e !a3 if #e so &esires3 sub!it a petition

for !erc it#in seen &as of t#e &ate of t#e inti!ation? . conict is

gien all of seen &as to file a !erc petition? Para +84 (+) re=uires t#at if

a conict sub!its a petition it#in a perio& of seen &as prescribe& b

clause (2)3 it #as to be a&&resse& to t#e oernor an& to t#e Presi&ent of

In&ia an& t#e ,uperinten&ent of Cail oul& fort#it# &espatc# it to t#e

,ecretar to t#e ,tate oern!ent toget#er it# a coering letter reporting

t#e &ate fi;e& for e;ecution an& certifing t#at t#e e;ecution #as been

stae& pen&ing receipt of t#e or&er of t#e goern!ent on t#e petition? If no

repl is receie& it#in fifteen &as fro! t#e &ate of &espatc# of t#e

petition3 t#e ,uperinten&ent is re=uire& to co!!unicate to t#e ,ecretar to

t#e ,tate oern!ent in t#e Cu&icial epart!ent? In t#e eent t#at a

conict sub!its a petition after a perio& of seen &as3 Para +84 (4)

re=uires t#e ,uperinten&ent of Cail to forar& it at once to t#e ,tate

re=uesting for or&ers on #et#er t#e e;ecution s#oul& be postpone& an&

stating t#at3 pen&ing a repl3 t#e sentence ill not be carrie& out? If t#e

petition is receie& b t#e ,uperinten&ent later t#an noon on t#e &a

prece&ing t#at fi;e& for t#e e;ecution3 it #as to be forar&e& fort#it# to

t#e ,tate oern!ent stating t#at t#e sentence oul& be carrie& out unless

or&ers to t#e contrar are receie&?

or conenience of reference3 clauses (2)3 (+) an& (4) of Para +84 are

e;tracte& #erein belo/


39/72

+B

@9/:6 Rule in connection with petition for

!ercy6 :#e folloing are t#e instructions relating to

t#e &uties of ,uperinten&ents of Cails in connection it#

petitions for !erc fro! an& on be#alf of conicts un&er

sentence of &eat#/

(1) ? ?

(2) %n receipt of t#e inti!ation of t#e &is!issal b t#e ,upre!e ourt of t#e appeal or t#e application

for special leae to appeal to it3 lo&ge& b or on be#alf

of t#e conict3 in case t#e conict concerne& #as !a&e

no preious petition for !erc3 t#e Cail ,uperinten&ent

s#all fort#it# infor! #i! (t#e conict) t#at if #e &esires

to sub!it a petition for !erc it s#oul& be sub!itte& in

riting it#in seen &as of t#e &ate of suc# inti!ation?

(+) If t#e conict sub!its a petition it#in t#e

perio& of seen &as prescribe& b Instruction (2)3 it

s#oul& be a&&resse& to t#e oernor of Uttar Pra&es#

an& t#e Presi&ent of In&ia? :#e ,uperinten&ent of t#e 6ail

s#all fort#it# &espatc# it to t#e ,ecretar to t#e ,tate

oern!ent in t#e Cu&icial (.) epart!ent3 toget#er

it# a coering letter reporting t#e &ate fi;e& for t#e

e;ecution an& s#all certif t#at t#e e;ecution #as been

stae& pen&ing receipt of t#e or&ers of t#e oern!ent

on t#e petition? If no repl is receie& it#in 15 &as

fro! t#e &ate of t#e &espatc# of t#e petition3 t#e

,uperinten&ent s#all telegrap# to t#e ,ecretar to t#e

,tate oern!ent? Cu&icial (.) epart!ent3 &raing

attention to t#e fact3 but #e s#all in no case carr out t#e

e;ecution before t#e receipt of t#e ,tate oern!ent's

repl?

(4) If t#e conict sub!its t#e petition after t#e


40/72

40

perio& prescribe& b Instruction (2)3 t#e ,uperinten&ent

of t#e 6ail s#all at once forar& it to t#e ,tate

oern!ent an& at t#e sa!e ti!e telegrap# t#e

substance of it3 re=uesting or&ers #et#er t#e e;ecution

s#oul& be postpone& an& stating t#at3 pen&ing a repl3

t#e sentence ill not be carrie& out? If suc# petition is

receie& b t#e ,uperinten&ent later t#an noon on t#e

&a prece&ing t#at fi;e& for t#e e;ecution3 #e s#all at

once forar& it to t#e ,tate oern!ent3 an& at t#e sa!e

ti!e telegrap# t#e substance of it3 giing t#e &ate of

e;ecution an& stating t#at t#e sentence ill be carrie&

out unless or&ers to t#e contrar are receie&?A

. conict3 #ose appeal #as been &is!isse& b t#e ,upre!e ourt

resulting in t#e coniction an& t#e sentence of &eat# being affir!e& is

alloe& a perio& of se-en days b t#e Cail *anual to sub!it a !erc

petition? :#is is clearl an in&icator of t#e intent t#at suc# pleas for !erc

!ust be !oe& at t#e earliest? ,urel3 if suc# an obligation is cast upon t#e

conict3 t#e least t#at is to be e;pecte& is t#at a &ecision on a !erc

petition oug#t not to be prolonge& un&ul an& s#oul& be arrie& at it# all

reasonable &espatc#?

%he facts analysed delay and !ore

In t#e present case3 folloing t#e &ecision of t#e ,upre!e ourt on

15 ebruar 20113 t#e conict a&&resse& a !erc petition to t#e oernor

of t#e ,tate on 7 *a 2011? %n 20 *a 20113 t#e ,tate oern!ent calle&

for a report of t#e istrict *agistrates of #aDiaba& an& auta! 9u

Nagar an& fro! t#e Prison ,uperinten&ent on eleen points @at t#e


41/72

41

earliestA? %n B Cune 20113 t#e ,tate oern!ent sent a re!in&er to t#e

istrict *agistrate an& to t#e Prison ,uperinten&ent? :#is as folloe& b

anot#er re!in&er on 2 ,epte!ber 2011? :#e ,tate oern!ent receie& a

report on 2> %ctober 2012? :#ere as an a&!itte& &ela of 1?5 ears on

t#e part of t#e istrict *agistrates in sub!itting a report to t#e ,tate

oern!ent? uring t#e course of t#e #earing of t#ese procee&ings3 e

#a& &irecte& t#e ,tate oern!ent as ell as t#e Union oern!ent to

grant inspection of t#e original files to t#e learne& counsel for t#e

petitioners? Inspection of files #as been grante& b t#e ,tate oern!ent?

.n application as file& b t#e Union oern!ent for !o&ification of t#e

or&er passe& b t#e ourt &irecting t#e grant of t#e inspection of its files 6

uring t#e course of t#e #earing3 t#is ourt as infor!e& b t#e learne&

counsel for t#e petitioners t#at t#e plea for inspection of t#e files of t#e

Union oern!ent is not being presse& in or&er to aoi& an furt#er &ela

in t#e &isposal of t#ese procee&ings?

e no procee& to e;a!ine t#e recor& of t#e ,tate oern!ent

pro&uce& in ourt? %n 1+ *a 20113 a noting as !a&e on t#e file t#at in

&ealing it# t#e !erc petition3 a oern!ent %r&er &ate& 1+ .pril 2005

oul& be applie& an& t#at t#e o!!ittee set up in Para 1 t#ereof3 #ea&e&

b t#e Principal ,ecretar (Prisons)3 oul& en=uire into all aspects of t#e

!atter? It as in pursuance of t#is3 t#at reports ere calle& fro! t#e

istrict *agistrates an& t#e Prison ,uperinten&ent on eleen points

re=uire& b t#e oern!ent or&er? %n 18 .ugust 20113 a file noting as

!a&e to t#e effect t#at !atters relating to t#e aar& of t#e &eat# penalt


42/72

42

are ealuate& b La ,ection $ an& not b Prison ,ectionH2? %n +0

Noe!ber 20123 a file noting as !a&e b t#e ,pecial ,ecretar (La) to

t#e effect t#at procee&ings be place& before t#e o!!ittee constitute&

un&er t#e oern!ent %r&er &ate& 1+ .pril 2005? :#is noting as

affir!e& b t#e Principal ,ecretar (La) on 10 ece!ber 2012? %n 17

ece!ber 20123 #en t#e file as place& before t#e Un&er ,ecretar

(Prisons)3 #e !a&e a noting t#ereon stating t#at t#e oern!ent %r&er

&ate& 1+ .pril 2005 applies onl to conicts other than t#ose #o #ae

been sentence& to &eat#?


43/72

4+

+1 Canuar 201+3 t#e ,pecial ,ecretar (La) put up a note stating t#at t#e

ebruar 201+3 t#e

Principal ,ecretar (La) recor&e& on t#e file t#at t#e


44/72

44

grant of par&on? Gentuall on 2 .pril 201+3 t#e oernor of Uttar Pra&es#

recor&e& #is agree!ent it# t#e co!!ents recor&e& b t#e Legal .&isor

an& accepte& t#e a&iceFreco!!en&ation !a&e b t#e ,tate oern!ent

not to accept t#e !erc petition? :#e !erc petition as #ence re6ecte& in

e;ercise of poers conferre& b .rticle 1>1 of t#e onstitution?

:#e facts #ic# #ae co!e before t#e ourt upon a perusal of t#e

original recor& !ae3 to sa t#e least3 &isturbing rea&ing? irst an&

fore!ost3 t#ere is absolutel no cogent e;planation for t#e &ela #ic#

too place in t#e &isposal of t#e procee&ings before t#e ,tate oern!ent

lea&ing up to t#e re6ection of t#e !erc petition b t#e oernor of t#e

,tate? Initiall3 as e #ae alrea& note&3 a perio& of oer one an& #alf

ears elapse& beteen 20 *a 2011 an& 2> %ctober 2012 in a&&ressing

letters an& re!in&ers to t#e istrict *agistrates to sub!it t#eir reports

toget#er it# t#e report of t#e Prison ,uperinten&ent? :#e &ela as

co!poun&e& b t#e ,tate oern!ent at seeral stages t#ereafter? ,eeral

!ont#s elapse& een after t#e reports of t#e istrict *agistrates ere

receie& for t#e file to be put up before t#e #ief *inister3 on +1 Canuar

201+? .fter t#e !erc petition as re6ecte& on 2 .pril 201+3 seeral

!ont#s elapse& before t#e papers ere forar&e& to t#e Union

oern!ent in Cul 201+? In Noe!ber 201+3 t#e Union oern!ent

soug#t infor!ation fro! t#e ,tate oern!ent an& a&&resse& a re!in&er in

ebruar 2014? . &ela too place at eer stage b t#e ,tate oern!ent?

:#e &ela as prolonge&3 unnecessar an& aoi&able? ,econ&l3 it is

significant t#at in a !atter as crucial as t#e fate of a &eat# conict3 t#ere


45/72

45

as a total lac of clarit on t#e part of t#e ,tate oern!ent on t#e

applicabilit of its oern!ent %r&er &ate&1+ .pril 2005? G; facie3 t#e

oern!ent &ate& 1+ .pril 2005 &oes not appl to cases of !erc petitions

sub!itte& b conicts un&er t#e sentence of &eat#? :#e sub6ect of t#e

oern!ent %r&er !aes t#e position clear an& e e;tract it in e;tenso/

@ fo"k;%&Hkkjr ds lafo/kku ds vuqPNsn&161 ds vUrxZr {keknku nsus

ltk ?kkus ;k ltk es a vU; !dkj d# dk$r# fd;s tkus s rq e';q n()

ls vfrfj*r n() ls nf()r fl+nks"k ,fUn;ks a v-kok .uds !fjtu kjk

!0rqr n;k;kfdkvks a ds fu0rkj(k s rq !fd;k dk fu/kkZj(k2A

:#is is !a&e furt#er ei&ent b Para 2 of t#e oern!ent %r&er? :#e

oern!ent %r&er3 inter alia3 re=uires an application of !in& to arious

circu!stances !an of #ic# #ae no bearing on a conict #o #as been

sentence& to &eat#? et3 as t#e counters #ic# #ae been file& b t#e ,tate

oern!ent in&icate3 t#e !atter as initiall processe& as if t#e

oern!ent %r&er &ate& 1+ .pril 2005 applie& to t#e situation? :#ir&l3 as

e #ae also note& fro! t#e file it as t#e Prison ,ection #ic# in&icate&

in its file noting t#at !atters relating to t#e grant of !erc to &eat# conicts

oul& not fall it#in its purie un&er t#e 9usiness "ules of 1B75 an& t#at

t#e !atter oul& #ae to be procee&e& for consi&eration before t#e La

epart!ent? :#e Principal ,ecretar (


46/72


47/72

47

nu!bere& as ri!inal *isc? Petition No? >81 of 201+ in

ri!inal .ppeal No? 2227 of 2010 an& as place& before

t#e iision 9enc# of 81 of 201+ in ri!inal .ppeal No? 2227 of 2010? .

cop of t#e or&er &ate& 1+?02?201+ passe& b t#e


48/72

48


49/72

4B

t#e "egistrar (Cu&icialEIII) on 1> %ctober 2012 as because t#at no

procee&ing as pen&ing before t#e ,upre!e ourt an&3 in fact3 so!e

applications ere pen&ing before t#e .lla#aba&


50/72

50

&eat# after t#e final 6u&g!ent of t#e ,upre!e ourt on 15 ebruar 2011

affir!ing t#e coniction an& sentence? irst an& fore!ost3 in &ealing it#

t#is issue3 it #as to be appreciate& t#at t#e e;ecution of t#e sentence of

&eat# as stae& &uring t#e pen&enc of t#e !erc petition #ic# as

file& on 7 *a 2011? %nce a !erc petition #as been file&3 Para +84 of t#e

Cail *anual !an&ates t#at t#e sentence s#oul& not be carrie& into

e;ecution? ,econ&l3 t#e reie petition #ic# as file& b t#e conict

before t#e ,upre!e ourt as liste& an& &ispose& of on one an& t#e sa!e

&a na!el on 24 Cul 2014? .fter t#e &ecision of t#e ,upre!e ourt in

&ohd Arif's case on 2 ,epte!ber 20143 an& since t#e conict as entitle&

to a reE#earing of t#e reie petition in open ourt3 an application for

restoration as file& on > ,epte!ber 2014? In t#e !eanti!e3 on 2

,epte!ber 2014 a arrant of &eat# as issue& b t#e .&&itional ,essions

Cu&ge at #aDiaba&? :#e ,upre!e ourt as !oe& at 1/00 a! on 8

,epte!ber 2014? .n interi! sta on t#e e;ecution of t#e sentence of &eat#

as grante& b t#e ,upre!e ourt on 8 ,epte!ber 2014? :#is continue& to

#ol& t#e fiel& until t#e reie petition as &is!isse& on 28 %ctober 2014?

Un&oubte&l3 t#e conict oul& not be entitle& to clai! an e=uities on t#e

groun& of t#e perio& #ic# elapse& &uring t#e pen&enc of t#e reie

petition in #ic# sta as grante& beteen 8 ,epte!ber 2014 an& 20

%ctober 2014? 1 of t#e

onstitution3 plainl t#e conict is not responsible? uring t#is perio&3 no

or&er of sta as obtaine& at t#e be#est of t#e conict in an 6u&icial


51/72

51

foru!? onse=uentl3 appling t#e test #ic# #as been for!ulate& in

successie &ecisions of t#e ,upre!e ourt inclu&ing "her "in#h an&

"hatru#han Chauhan, it is clear t#at t#e con&uct of t#e conict3 postE

coniction3 is not suc# as to &isentitle #i! fro! clai!ing relief un&er t#e

#ea& of &ela3 since t#e e;ecution of t#e &eat# sentence as not postpone&

b an &ilator tactic or procee&ing a&opte& b t#e conict?

Application of the wron# principle in i#norance of the ehar "in#h

principle

:#e Legal .&isor to t#e oernor in for!ulating a note for

consi&eration of t#e oernor too t#e ie t#at since t#e 6u&g!ent of

coniction an& sentence of t#e trial court #a& been carrie& in appeal to t#is

ourt an& later to t#e ,upre!e ourt an& #a& attaine& finalit3 it as not

open to t#e oernor3 #ile &isposing of t#e !erc petition un&er .rticle

1>1 to loo into t#e !erits of t#e case or to consi&er t#e !erits?

"espon&ing to t#e groun&s #ic# ere taen b t#e conict in #is !erc

petition3 t#e Legal .&isor to t#e oernor sub!itte& t#at since all t#e

courts3 na!el t#e trial court3 1 of t#e onstitution? :#e Legal .&isor to t#e

oernor procee&e& on a !anifestl erroneous co!pre#ension of t#e scope

of aut#orit t#at is este& in t#e oernor un&er .rticle 1>1 of t#e

onstitution? #en t#e oernor e;ercises poers un&er .rticle 1>1 of t#e


52/72

52

onstitution or3 for t#at !atter3 #en t#e Presi&ent is to &isc#arge

constitutional functions un&er .rticle 723 t#e constitutional poer #ic# is

e;ercise& is &istinct fro! t#e 6u&icial poer #ic# is este& in t#e 6u&icial

ing? :#e Presi&ent un&er .rticle 72 an& t#e oernor un&er .rticle 1>1

are entitle& to e;a!ine t#e recor& of ei&ence in a cri!inal case an& to

&eter!ine #et#er t#e case itself is &esering of t#e e;ercise of poers to

grant a !erc or a par&on? In &oing so3 neit#er t#e oernor nor t#e

Presi&ent acts as an appellate 6u&icial foru!? :#e &o so as a repositor of

a constitutional poer #ic# is entruste& to a constitutional functionar to

grant !erc or par&on?

:#e principle #as been for!ulate& in t#e 6u&g!ent of t#e

onstitution 9enc# of t#e ,upre!e ourt in ehar "in#h *supra+ in t#e

folloing ter!s/

@10? e are of t#e ie t#at it is open to t#e

Presi&ent in t#e e;ercise of t#e poer este& in #i! b

.rt? 72 of t#e onstitution to scrutinise t#e ei&ence on

t#e recor& of t#e cri!inal case an& co!e to a &ifferent

conclusion fro! t#at recor&e& b t#e court in regar& to

t#e guilt of3 an& sentence i!pose& on3 t#e accuse&? In

&oing so3 t#e Presi&ent &oes not a!en& or !o&if or

superse&e t#e 6u&icial recor&? :#e 6u&icial recor& re!ains

intact3 an& un&isturbe&? :#e Presi&ent acts in a #oll

&ifferent plane fro! t#at in #ic# t#e ourt acte&?


53/72

5+

accuse& or to re!it t#e sentence i!pose& on #i!? In U?,?

? 9enD4+3 ,ut#erlan&3 C? obsere&/

:#e 6u&icial poer an& t#e e;ecutie poer

oer sentences are rea&il &istinguis#able? :o

ren&er 6u&g!ent is a 6u&icial function? :o carr t#e

6u&g!ent into effect is an e;ecutie function? :o

cut s#ort a sentence b an act of cle!enc is an

e;ercise of e;ecutie poer #ic# abri&ges t#e

enforce!ent of t#e 6u&g!ent3 but &oes not alter it

=ua a 6u&g!ent? :o re&uce a sentence b

a!en&!ent alters t#e ter!s of t#e 6u&g!ent itself

an& is a 6u&icial act as !uc# as t#e i!position of

t#e sentence in t#e first instance?

:#e legal effect of a par&on is #oll &ifferent fro! a

6u&icial supersession of t#e original sentence? It is t#e

nature of t#e poer #ic# is &eter!inatie? In ,arat

#an&ra "ab#a ? -#agen&ranat# Nat#443 anc#oo3 C?

speaing for t#e ourt a&&resse& #i!self to t#e =uestion

#et#er t#e or&er of re!ission b t#e oernor of .ssa!

#a& t#e effect of re&ucing t#e sentence i!pose& on t#e

appellant in t#e sa!e a in #ic# an or&er of an

appellate or reisional cri!inal court #as t#e effect of

re&ucing t#e sentence passe& b a trial court3 an& after

&iscussing t#e la relating to t#e poer to grant par&on3

#e sai&/

:#oug#3 t#erefore3 t#e effect of an or&er of

re!ission is to ipe out t#at part of t#e sentence of

i!prison!ent #ic# #as not been sere& out an&

t#us in practice to re&uce t#e sentence to t#e perio&

alrea& un&ergone3 in la t#e or&er of re!ission

4+ 75 L G& +543 +58

44 (1B>1) 2 ," 1++3 1+8E140 / .I" 1B>1 , ++4


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54

!erel !eans t#at t#e rest of t#e sentence nee& not

be un&ergone3 leaing t#e or&er of coniction b t#e

court an& t#e sentence passe& b it untouc#e&? In

t#is ie of t#e !atter t#e or&er of re!ission passe&

in t#is case t#oug# it #a& t#e effect t#at t#e appellant

as release& fro! 6ail before #e #a& sere& t#e full

sentence of t#ree ears' i!prison!ent an& #a&

actuall sere& onl about si;teen !ont#s'

i!prison!ent3 &i& not in an a affect t#e or&er of

coniction an& sentence passe& b t#e ourt #ic#

re!aine& as it as?

an& again/

No #ere t#e sentence i!pose& b a trial

court is arie& b a of re&uction b t#e appellate

or reisional court3 t#e final sentence is again

i!pose& b a court but #ere a sentence i!pose&

b a court is re!itte& in part un&er ,ection 401 of

t#e o&e of ri!inal Proce&ure t#at #as not t#e

effect in la of re&ucing t#e sentence i!pose& b

t#e court3 t#oug# in effect t#e result !a be t#at t#e

conicte& person suffers less i!prison!ent t#an t#at

i!pose& b t#e court? :#e or&er of re!ission affects

t#e e;ecution of t#e sentence i!pose& b t#e court

but &oes not affect t#e sentence as suc#3 #ic#

re!ains #at it as in spite of t#e or&er of

re!ission?

It is apparent t#at t#e poer un&er .rticle 72 entitles t#e

Presi&ent to e;a!ine t#e recor& of ei&ence of t#e

cri!inal case an& to &eter!ine for #i!self #et#er t#e

case is one &esering t#e grant of t#e relief falling it#in

t#at poer? e are of opinion t#at t#e Presi&ent is

entitle& to go into t#e !erits of t#e case notit#stan&ing


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55

t#at it #as been 6u&iciall conclu&e& b t#e consi&eration

gien to it b t#is ourt?A

:#e &ecision in ehar "in#h #as been cite& it# approal in

"hatru#han Chauhan (paragrap# 14) an& t#e principle #as been

for!ulate& in t#e folloing ter!s/

@9ot# .rticles 72 an& 1>1 repose t#e poer of t#e

people in t#e #ig#est &ignitaries3 i?e?3 t#e Presi&ent or t#e

oernor of a ,tate3 as t#e case !a be3 an& t#ere are no

or&s of li!itation in&icate& in eit#er of t#e to .rticles?

:#e Presi&ent or t#e oernor3 as t#e case !a be3 in

e;ercise of poer un&er .rticles 72F1>1 respectiel3 !a

e;a!ine t#e ei&ence afres# an& t#is e;ercise of poer is

clearl in&epen&ent of t#e 6u&iciar? :#is ourt3 in

nu!erous instances3 clarifie& t#at t#e e;ecutie is not

sitting as a court of appeal rat#er t#e poer of

Presi&entFoernor to grant re!ission of sentence is an

act of grace an& #u!anit in appropriate cases3 i?e?

&istinct3 absolute an& unfettere& in its nature?A

Un&oubte&l3 t#e poer un&er .rticles 72 an& 1>1 is e;ercise& on t#e ai&

an& a&ice of t#e ouncil of *inisters? #at t#e ie of t#e Legal

.&isor3 #ic# #as been specificall approe& b t#e oernor3 #as &one

is to &isable an application of !in& to t#e recor& of ei&ence of t#e

cri!inal case so as to enable t#e oernor to &eter!ine #et#er a case as

!a&e out for t#e grant of !erc or par&on? In t#at sense3 t#e oernor #as

been &isable& fro! e;ercising a constitutional 6uris&iction an& #as

e;clu&e&3 fro! #is purie3 !aterial #ic# as ger!ane an& releant to


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5>

t#e for!ation of t#e ulti!ate &ecision?

"olitary confine!ent

.not#er grieance #ic# #as been a&&resse& before t#e ourt in

t#ese procee&ings is t#at after t#e 6u&g!ent of t#e sessions court on 1+

ebruar 200B3 t#e conict as place& in solitar confine!ent3 contrar to

t#e la lai& &on b t#e ,upre!e ourt in "unil $atra *supra+? In or&er

to buttress t#is sub!ission3 t#e conict #as file& an affi&ait &ate& 7

Canuar 20153 stating t#at since t#e &ate on #ic# #e as sentence& to

&eat# (1+ ebruar 200B)3 #e as confine& to a solitar single cell in asna

Prison? *oreoer3 &uring t#e s#ort &uration of ti!e #en #e as lo&ge& in

*eerut Prison3 #e state& t#at #e as ept in a single cell solitar

confine!ent (fansi yard)? It as #is case t#at in t#e affi&ait t#at t#e

prison recor& oul& bear out #is aer!ents? %n B Canuar 20153 e #a&

per!itte& t#e respon&ents to respon& to t#e affi&ait of t#e conict an& to

pro&uce all t#e recor&s an& a counter for t#e perusal of t#e ourt? In

response to t#e &irections of t#e ourt3 a supple!entar counter affi&ait

&ate& 15 Canuar 2015 #as been file& b t#e ,enior ,uperinten&ent of t#e

entral Cail3 Naini? :#e folloing state!ent #as been !a&e in paragrap# 5

of t#e affi&ait/

@???In ie of sensitiit of ,essions :rials an& t#e

!atter in =uestion an& also in ie of .&!inistratie an&

,ecurit .rrange!ents of t#e Prison as ell as ,ecurit

.rrange!ent of t#e petitioner ,uren&ra -oli3 #e #as been

&etaine& in 9arrac No?> of


57/72

57

roo!s are occupie& b > prisoners

inclu&ing t#e petitioner3 as aboe state&? .ll t#e roo!s

#ae proper basic a!enities lie lig#t3 air3 toilet an&

bat#roo!s etc? :#is ar& #as proper arrange!ent of

cleaning an& #as proper place een for In&oor a!es

#aing plantation also? In ot#er or&s3 t#e sai& ar& #as

#ealt# at!osp#ere? :#e &istrict 6ail3 #aDiaba& #as no

arrange!ent of solitar confine!ent? :#e petitioner

,uren&ra -oli #as been &etaine& in t#e sa!e along it# ot#er sensitie prisoners

an& t#at t#ere are !ore t#an ten roo!s in t#e barrac? .nne;ure ,.E143

#ic# is a setc# of 9arrac No >3 in&icates t#at t#ere are ten in&epen&ent

cells for!ing a part of 9arrac No >? :#is is also borne out b t#e

p#otograp#s #ic# #ae been place& on t#e recor& b t#e learne& .&ocate

eneral? ,.E15 an& ,.E1> of t#e secon& supple!entar counter

affi&ait are illustratie lists taen fro! t#e register of in!ates of 9arrac

No > #ic# in&icate t#at t#ere ere no !ore t#an B prisoners lo&ge& in t#e

barrac on t#e &ates reflecte& t#erein? In fact3 it is not necessar for t#e

ourt to &ell upon an &ispute& =uestion of fact since3 fro! t#e affi&ait

#ic# as file& b t#e ,tate on 15 Canuar 20153 it is clear t#at t#e conict

as &etaine&3 as is &escribe&3 @fro! the -ery be#innin#A in one of t#e ten


58/72

58

cells for!ing a part of 9arrac No >?

:#is is not#ing but solitar confine!ent? :#e conict cannot be

&escribe& as a conict un&er an e;ecutable sentence of &eat# so long as t#e

6u&g!ent of t#e sessions trial as not confir!e& b t#e


59/72

5B

It oul& be subersion of t#is statutor proision (,s? 7+

an& 74 IP) to i!part a !eaning to ,? +0(2) of t#e

Prisons .ct #ereb a &isciplinar ariant of solitar

confine!ent can be cla!pe& &on on a prisoner3

alt#oug# no court #as aar&e& suc# a punis#!ent? 9 a

!ere construction3 #ic# clot#es as e;ecutie officer3

#o #appens to be t#e goernor of t#e 6ail3 it# #ars#

6u&icial poers to be e;ercise& b punitie restrictions

an& unaccountable to anone3 t#e poer being

&iscretionar an& &isciplinar?A

:#e sub!ission #ic# as urge& on be#alf of t#e ,tate b t#e

learne& .&ocate eneral is t#at t#e conict as per!itte& access to 6ail

isitors an& #aing &ue regar& to t#e pen&enc of ot#er cases against #i!3

#e as transporte& to ourt regularl to atten& t#e #earing of t#e sessions

trials? Neit#er of t#ese circu!stances oul& result in obliterating t#e

conse=uence of an unlaful act of solitar confine!ent? In fact3 in t#e

&ecision in "unil $atra3 t#e ,upre!e ourt obsere& t#at t#e !ere act of

t#e prison aut#orities in alloing t#e conict to !eet prison isitors oul&

not result in taing an act of solitar confine!ent out of t#at categor?

,i!ilarl an& b parit of reasoning3 t#ere can be no &oubt about t#e legal

position t#at occasions #en a prisoner is re=uire& to be taen to ourt for

atten&ing a #earing before t#e ourt3 oul& not result in a solitar

confine!ent being regar&e& as ant#ing but solitar confine!ent?

%he death warrants

In t#e present case3 t#ree e;ecution arrants ere issue& against t#e

conict on + *a 20113 2 ,epte!ber 2014 an& + ,epte!ber 2014? :#e first


60/72

>0

arrant &ate& + *a 2011 stipulate& t#at t#e sentence of &eat# oul& be

e;ecute& at any ti!e beteen 24 *a 2011 an& +1 *a 2011 at 4/00 a!?

,ection 41+ of t#e rP stipulates t#at #en a case is sub!itte& to

t#e


61/72

>1

sentence of &eat# oul& #ae to be e;ecute&? :#is oul& plainl not be

consistent it# t#e proisions enisage& in la?

:#e secon& arrant of &eat# as issue& on 2 ,epte!ber 2014?

,ignificantl3 t#at as t#e er &a on #ic# t#e &ecision of t#e ,upre!e

ourt in &ohd Arif entitling a conict to an open #earing of a reie

petition as &eliere&? :#e petitioner as furnis#e& it# no notice of t#e

procee&ing initiate& for t#e e;ecution of t#e arrant of &eat# nor as #e

affor&e& a #earing b t#e ourt before t#e issuance of t#e arrant? :#oug#

,ections 41+ an& 414 of rP are silent in regar& to obserance of t#e

principles of natural 6ustice3 it is a ell settle& principle of our

6urispru&ence t#at t#e rules of natural 6ustice !ust be rea& into t#e

interstices of a statute een #ere t#e statute is silent? Natural 6ustice is an

a&6unct of fair proce&ure since it affor&s a #earing to a person #o oul&

be a&ersel affecte& b a propose& action before a &ecision is taen or an

or&er is passe&? .s t#e la #as &eelope&3 t#e strict lines beteen a =uasi

6u&icial an& a&!inistratie act #ae also been efface&? If t#e petitioner ere

to be affor&e& a #earing3 #e oul& #ae been in a position to infor! t#e

.&&itional ,essions Cu&ge at #aDiaba& t#at t#e &ecision #ic# #as been

&eliere& b t#e ,upre!e ourt in &ohd Arif's case on 2 ,epte!ber 2014

este& in #i! a proce&ural entitle!ent for t#e restoration of #is reie

petition an& for an open #earing in ourt? :#is as ei&entl not &one

#en t#e arrant as issue& on 2 ,epte!ber 2014 aut#orising t#e Cail

,uperinten&ent of t#e &istrict 6ail at #aDiaba& to carr t#e sentence of

&eat# into e;ecution beteen 7 ,epte!ber 2014 an& 12 ,epte!ber 2014 at


62/72

>2

>?00 a!?

%n + ,epte!ber 20143 t#e arrant of &eat# as !o&ifie& b t#e

.&&itional ,essions Cu&ge at #aDiaba&? :#e or&er of t#e .&&itional

,essions Cu&ge recor&s t#at t#e eput Cailor #a& appeare& in court on t#at

&a itself toget#er it# a letter of t#e Cail ,uperinten&ent seeing or&ers on

a letter of t#e eput Inspector eneral of Cails3 Lucno for t#e transfer

of t#e conict to t#e &istrict 6ail at *eerut? :#e .&&itional ,essions Cu&ge3

#aDiaba& obsere&3 upon perusing t#e letter of t#e eput Inspector

eneral3 Lucno t#at t#e &istrict 6ail at *eerut #a& arrange!ents for

e;ecution of t#e sentence of &eat# #ereas t#ere as no suc# arrange!ent

at t#e #aDiaba& Cail? onse=uentl3 an aut#oriDation as issue& for t#e

transfer of t#e conict an& for t#e e;ecution of t#e sentence of &eat# at t#e

&istrict 6ail at *eerut? :#ese arrants of &eat# ere issue& on 2 ,epte!ber

2014 an& + ,epte!ber 20143 obliious of t#e fact t#at t#e conict #a& a

aluable safeguar& an& re!e& open to #i! in ter!s of t#e &ecision of t#e

,upre!e ourt in &ohd Arif to appl for t#e restoration of #is reie

petition an& for an open #earing in ourt? :#e arrant3 in all probabilit3

oul& #ae been carrie& into e;ecution but for t#e fact t#at upon t#e

conict being s#ifte& to t#e 6ail at *eerut3 an& t#e atten&ant publicit3

urgent reliefs ere soug#t before t#e ,upre!e ourt on t#e interening

nig#t beteen 7 an& 8 ,epte!ber 2014 at 1/00 a!?

e are affir!atiel of t#e ie t#at in a ciiliDe& societ3 t#e

e;ecution of t#e sentence of &eat# cannot be carrie& out in suc# an arbitrar

!anner3 eeping t#e prisoner in t#e &ar an& it#out alloing #i!


63/72

>+

recourse an& infor!ation? Gssential safeguar&s !ust be obsere&? irstl3

t#e principles of natural 6ustice !ust be rea& into t#e proisions of ,ections

41+ an& 414 of rP an& sufficient notice oug#t to be gien to t#e conict

before t#e issuance of a arrant of &eat# b t#e sessions court t#at oul&

enable t#e conict to consult #is a&ocates an& to be represente& in t#e

procee&ings? ,econ&l3 t#e arrant !ust specif t#e e;act &ate an& ti!e for

e;ecution an& not a range of &ates #ic# places a prisoner in a state of

uncertaint? :#ir&l3 a reasonable perio& of ti!e !ust elapse beteen t#e

&ate of t#e or&er on t#e e;ecution arrant an& t#e &ate fi;e& or appointe&

in t#e arrant for t#e e;ecution so t#at t#e conict ill #ae a reasonable

opportunit to pursue legal recourse against t#e arrant an& to #ae a final

!eeting it# t#e !e!bers of #is fa!il before t#e &ate fi;e& for e;ecution?

ourt#l3 a cop of t#e e;ecution arrant !ust be i!!e&iatel supplie& to

t#e conict? ift#l3 in t#ose cases3 #ere a conict is not i

PUDR v. Union of India

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