Supreme Court Set to Examine Death Penalty Methods: A Plea for Change in 2026
Image Source: Internet
The Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing for January 21, 2026, to consider a petition calling for a change in the method of execution for death row convicts. Currently, hanging is the only method used, but the petition seeks to introduce alternative, less painful methods such as lethal injection, shooting, electrocution, or gas chamber. Attorney General R Venkataramani has requested the court to delay the hearing until January 2026, citing progress in reviewing the issues raised in the petition. Senior advocate Rishi Malhotra, who filed the petition in 2017, pointed out that the Attorney General had previously mentioned the possibility of appointing a committee to review the matter. The court had earlier expressed concerns that the government was not willing to evolve and adapt to changing opinions on the death penalty. In 2023, the court had suggested setting up a committee to examine the proportionality and pain associated with hanging as a method of execution. The petition is based on the 187th Report of the Law Commission, which recommends removing hanging from the statute. The Centre had earlier opposed this recommendation, citing the simplicity and quickness of hanging as a method of execution. However, the court cannot direct the legislature to adopt a particular method of sentencing, and the hearing in January 2026 will aim to explore the possibilities of introducing alternative methods.
