Supreme Court to decide if courts can add word ‘rigorous’ to life term | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Supreme Court to decide if courts can add word ‘rigorous’ to life term

ByPTI, New Delhi
Jan 22, 2017 12:08 PM IST

Senior advocate Parmanand Katara contended that the judgement pronounced by the courts were “unconstitutional and ultra-vires” as penal and procedural laws do not empower them to qualify the life sentence with the term “rigorous”.

The Supreme Court has agreed to examine the question whether courts are statutorily empowered to make life imprisonments tougher for the convicts by adding the word “rigorous” (harsh) to life sentence as the law does not provide for this.

Are the courts statutorily empowered to make life imprisonments tougher for the convicts by adding the word “rigorous” to life sentence?(Getty Images)
Are the courts statutorily empowered to make life imprisonments tougher for the convicts by adding the word “rigorous” to life sentence?(Getty Images)

A bench comprising justices AK Sikri and RK Agrawal considered a submission which said that neither the penal provision dealing with the offence of murder, nor the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) provide that the term “rigorous” can be added by courts while awarding life sentence to convicts.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

The apex court issued notices to the parties in the case and tagged the matter with a similar issue being heard by a different bench.

Senior advocate Parmanand Katara, appearing for convict Abdul Maliq and others, who has been awarded rigorous life term in a murder case, contended that the judgement pronounced by the courts below were “unconstitutional and ultra-vires” as penal and procedural laws do not empower them to qualify the life sentence with the term “rigorous”.

The apex court was hearing the appeal filed by Abdul Maliq and four others, serving rigorous life term in an Uttar Pradesh jail, challenging the high court verdict in a murder case.

The high court had upheld the trial court judgement convicting and awarding life term to Maliq and others for shooting to death one Dunna on July 14, 1999 in UP’s Sitapur district.

In a similar issue, the apex court had issued notice on a plea filed by Ram Kumar Sivare, who is serving rigorous life term in a Chhattisgarh jail, challenging the high court verdict in a murder case.

Unveiling 'Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on Election 2024, India News, Lok Sabha Election 2024 LIVE along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On