Supreme Court questions govt on lethal injection for executions
The Supreme Court on Wednesday questioned the Central government’s reluctance to consider lethal injection as an alternative to hanging for death sentences, suggesting that the government “is not willing to change” despite evolving times. This remark came during a hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by advocate Rishi Malhotra, which sought to replace hanging with methods such as lethal injection, electrocution, or the gas chamber, claiming that these methods are less painful and more humane.
The Union government, in its affidavit, argued that offering convicts a choice between hanging and lethal injection may not be feasible and maintained that changing the current system involves a policy decision. The court has posted the matter for further hearing on November 11.
The PIL challenges Section 354(5) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which mandates hanging, arguing that a dignified death should be a constitutional right under Article 21. The petitioner cited that death by hanging can take up to 40 minutes, while methods like lethal injection cause death within five minutes, with less pain.
The Supreme Court had earlier suggested forming an expert panel to explore more humane execution methods, and in a previous hearing, questioned whether technological advancements could help find a more dignified method of execution.
