The apex court today let out a crucial judgement on Mercy Petitions in the case of death petitions. The court took the issue of inordinate delay on part of President to decide mercy pleas. The court made it clear that in case of such delays the death petition may be reduced to life time imprisonment solely taking delay in to consideration. Supreme Court also commuted the death penalty of 15 convicts, including four aides of forest brigand Veerappan to life term on ground of delay.
The highest order court in the country also made it clear that the families of the prisoners should be known in case the mercy petition is rejected. SC in its verdict said made it clear that there has to be a minimum 14-day gap between the information given to concerned prisoner about rejection of mercy plea and the actual execution date. This will give him an opportunity to either challenge the rejection, eat the food he likes, meet family, relatives and friends.
