The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to buy the argument that ‘Hanging is inhuman’. The petitioner Ashok Kumar Walia had argued that hanging was a “cruel and painful” method of execution and should be replaced by lethal injection or any other method.
The Chief Justice refused to take note of the argument stating that there was no evidence to suggest that hanging causes more pain that other methods, i.e. lethal injection. While he stated that there is no case made out to change the mode of carrying out a death sentence, the Court also remarked that India has one of the most liberal sentencing systems and suggested to the petitioner to argue for the abolition of the death penalty itself. (is that a hint ?)
On the other hand, in 2008, the United States Supreme Court in Baze v. Rees, was considering as to whether the execution of a death sentence by a lethal injection is inhuman; the Court held otherwise but remarked that the injection has replaced other “inhuman methods” such as the guillotine, hanging, firing squad, electric chair etc..
Perhaps we should borrow the example of the United States in this matter, or the EU in totally abolishing the death sentence.
I am also writing a piece on a death penalty case that I am researching on and would put up the post when done.
Thanks to my good friend Vivek Sundara for sending me the article in the BBC about this.
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Indeed.
We tolerate and even glory in imperfection, because we are fallible.
How then can we accept the death penalty which is a “perfect” solution?
Empirically, I am sure your informed readers are aware that after the advent of DNA testing, a whole bunch of death row inmates in the USA were released because the evidence did not add up.
That’s a QED for the massive imperfections of the legal system even in rich America and against the death penalty anywhere.
Yet another “conspiracy in corruption”
Andhra Pradesh High Court’s Pernicious Rebellion Against The Law .05/29/09
RTI Act 2005 Abuse In Andhra Pradesh- SIC Cheats! Chief Secretary Lies!05/07/09
Prejudiced CIC Laps Up PMO Lies 05/05/09 Divakar S Natarajan and Varun Gandhi Cannot Both Be Wrong ! 01/28/09
And India’s editorial class will not report the story!
sathyagraha.blogspot.com
News and views from Divakar S Natarajan’s, “no excuses”, ultra peaceful, non partisan, individual sathyagraha against corruption and for the idea of the rule of law in India. Now in its 18th year.
Any struggle against a predatory authority is humanity’s struggle to honour the gift of life.