SC Agrees To Hear Death-Row Convicts’ Writ Petition Seeking Stay On Hanging

Supreme Court’s Vacation Bench of Justices D.Y. Chandrachud and Sanjay Kishan Kaul, on Monday, June 19 directed listing on June 22, of the Criminal Writ Petition filed by Babu @ Ketan and Sanni, seeking stay on their hanging, following the rejection of their mercy petitions by the President, Pranab Mukherjee. The President rejected their mercy petitions on May 25.

READ: President Rejects Mercy Petitions of Five Death Row Convicts In Two Days

Although the review petitions filed by one of the three convicts is pending before the Supreme Court, to be heard in the open court by a three-Judge bench, in the absence of a specific stay on their hanging, it is apprehended that the prison authorities may issue the necessary warrant for their hanging. Hence, the writ petitions seek a stay on the likely warrants.

Also, the writ petitions to be heard on Thursday challenge the validity of Supreme Court rules, which make it possible for in limine dismissals by the Court, of SLPs by the death-row convicts, without stating any reasons.

On Monday, senior advocate, Salman Khurshid appeared for the convicts, assisted by Rishad A. Chowdhury, AOR.