'Won't replace hanging with less painful methods'; Supreme Court clears air regarding death penalty

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court rejected a plea seeking to replace the hanging sentence with less painful methods like lethal injection, for the death penalty. The court, highlighting its constitutional importance, said that the death penalty in the country will continue to be carried out by hanging. The bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta dismissed the plea.

The Supreme Court also rejected a plea seeking a larger bench to refer to three earlier judgments on the issue. The plea was filed by advocate Rishi Malhotra. The plea sought consideration of alternative methods to hanging, such as lethal injection, shooting, electrocution and sitting in a room filled with toxic fumes. It was pointed out in the plea that death can occur within minutes through such methods.

The plea mentioned hanging as extremely painful, inhumane and cruel. Hanging should be declared unconstitutional. Death with dignity should be considered a fundamental right. It takes 40 minutes to die by hanging. Death by shooting or lethal injection takes five minutes. The lawyer had also said in the petition that the UN resolution states that the death penalty should be carried out as painlessly as possible.

The court said it would examine the matter in the future if scientific evidence is presented regarding alternatives to hanging. It also said that if the central government is interested in conducting a comprehensive review, an expert committee can be formed.