Govt not in favour of abolishing death penalty: Kiren Rijiju

Government on Friday said in Rajya Sabha that it is “not in favour” of abolishing the capital punishment considering the “prevailing circumstances” in the country.

“The prevailing circumstances in which we are living does not warrant abolition of death penalty,” Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said while replying to a private member’s resolution moved by D Raja (CPI) for the abolition of capital punishment in the country.

India has its own basis of formulating laws and it has to respect the “sentiments of the people”, Rijiju added. He said there are several provisions in the Constitution such as Articles 71, 134 and 161 for commuting of death sentence and the Supreme Court has made it clear that it should be used in “exceptional circumstances” and as an “unavoidable alternative”.

Enumerating the remedies available regarding death sentence, he said even if capital punishment has been awarded by a lower court and has been upheld by the High Court, the person can approach the Supreme Court.

“Even if that fails, one can approach the Governor and the President of India,” the minister added. On awarding of the death sentence, he said several factors such as the accused’s socio-economic condition, health, age and sex are considered before awarding such a sentence.