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Top court issues guidelines on processing of mercy petitions

The Supreme Court established guidelines for swift processing of mercy petitions for death-row convicts, addressing delays and upholding fundamental rights.

Updated on: Dec 10, 2024, 00:06:51 IST
By Utkarsh Anand
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The Supreme Court on Monday laid down a comprehensive set of guidelines to ensure the swift and efficient processing of mercy petitions by death-row convicts, marking a significant development in the legal framework surrounding capital punishment and underlining the adverse effects of delays on both the convicts and societal confidence in justice.

PREMIUMThe Supreme Court also directed state governments to frame office orders or executive guidelines outlining the standard operating procedures for dealing with mercy petitions. (HT Photo)
The Supreme Court also directed state governments to frame office orders or executive guidelines outlining the standard operating procedures for dealing with mercy petitions. (HT Photo)

In its landmark judgment, a bench comprising justices Abhay S Oka, Ahsanuddin Amanullah and AG Masih emphasised that delays in executing death sentences, particularly those arising from administrative

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Utkarsh Anand

Utkarsh Anand is the National Legal Editor at Hindustan Times, where he leads the newspaper's coverage of the Supreme Court, constitutional law, the judiciary and the Union law ministry. He joined Hindustan Times in 2020 after stints at Press Trust of India (PTI), The Indian Express and CNN-News18, and has over two decades of experience reporting on law, governance and public policy. His work has focussed on some of India's most consequential constitutional and legal developments, including the Supreme Court's judgments on Article 370, marriage equality, decriminalisation of homosexuality, the Babri Masjid dispute, electoral reforms and judicial appointments. He specialises in making complex legal proceedings and judgments accessible to readers while examining their wider social and political impact. Beyond daily reportage, Utkarsh has led investigative projects and enterprise reporting that have shaped public debate and prompted institutional responses. His work has received several journalism awards, including the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award. As National Legal Editor, he has also played a key role in expanding Hindustan Times' legal journalism footprint, mentoring reporters and strengthening coverage across platforms. A Chevening South Asia Journalism Programme Fellow, Utkarsh regularly writes analyses on the judiciary and constitutional issues, and his reporting is widely followed by lawyers, judges, policymakers, academics and readers seeking clarity on India's evolving legal landscape.

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