Solitary Confinement Of Death Convict Prior To Rejection Of Mercy Petition Palpably Illegal: SC [Read Judgment]

Convict cannot be said to be "under sentence of death" till the mercy petition is rejected

In this proceeding, the centre admitted that Dharam Pal remained in solitary confinement for a period of 18 years, and has undergone imprisonment for a total period of more than 25 years till date. Referring to Sunil Batra judgment, the bench observed that even if the Sessions Court has sentenced the convict to death, subject to the confirmation of the High Court, or even if the appeal is filed before the High Court and the Supreme Court against the imposition of death punishment and the same is pending, the convict cannot be said to be "under sentence of death" till the mercy petition filed before the Governor or the President is rejected.

In this regard, the bench observed:

"Throughout the period of deciding his mercy petition by the President, he was kept in solitary confinement in various jails. Solitary confinement prior to the disposal of the mercy petition is per se illegal and amounts to separate and additional punishment not authorized by law…
…. Thus, solitary confinement prior to the rejection of mercy petition, which has taken place in spite of various decisions of this Court to the contrary, is unfortunate and palpably illegal. In the present case, the Respondent underwent such a long period of solitary confinement that too, prior to his mercy petition being rejected, thereby making it a formidable case for commuting his death sentence into life imprisonment, as rightly held by the High Court"

Prolonged Delay In Execution Of Death Sentence Violates Fundamental Right

The court also upheld the High Court observation that the prolonged delay in execution of a sentence of death has a dehumanizing effect and this has the constitutional implication of depriving a person of his life in an unjust, unfair and unreasonable way so as to offend the fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution.

All Relevant Materials Should Be Placed Before President While He Considers Mercy Petition

The bench further observed that the fact that he was subsequently acquitted in the rape case (SC while confirming his death sentence had taken note of the conviction by Trial Court) has great bearing on the quantum on sentence that ought to be awarded to him and the same should have been brought to the notice of the President while deciding his mercy petition

On receipt of a mercy petition, the Department concerned has to call for all the records and materials connected with the conviction. When the matter is placed before the President, it is incumbent on the part of the concerned authority to place all the materials such as judgments of the courts, as well as any other relevant material connected with the conviction.

The bench, taking into account all circumstances, finally directed his release after the completion of 35 years of actual imprisonment including the period already undergone by him.

Read Judgment