Delay in exceution can be a ground to reconsider the life sentence?

Delay in exceution can be a ground to reconsider the life sentence?

Introduction

Two Indian women, Renuka Shinde and her step-sister Seema Gavit have been announced the Death Sentence. The Supreme Court upheld their sentence in 2006 and President Pranab Mukherjee rejected their further appeal last month. They are convicted in the case of kidnapping 13 children in 2001, out of which murder of 5 children have been proved. Still their lawyer wants to lodge the petition with the Mumbai High Court, to convert their punishment to ‘Life behind bars’ on the grounds of delay in executing the death sentence. Is that fair enough?

Yes

- The conviction had been delayed for a very long time due to some reason which definitely should be taken under consideration.

- Many of the cases of kidnapping and murder are under trial for years and the accused many a times live their life and die natural death. The death sentence for a similar crime is worth giving a re-consideration.

- The delay in the execution of the judgement was due to the further appeal with the President. It is the first death sentence to women after our Independence. The accused can be given a benefit of doubt to alter the punishment.

- Death sentence is not awarded even for the brutal offence like rape and murder, as we have seen and are going through the justice statements in day-to-day life. Then why can’t these two ladies be given a ray of hope? The delay has already extended their life, which can be converted to life behind bars.

- The appeal is not for letting them free; instead it’s a plea for converting their punishment to a life behind bars which can be given an overlook.

No

- Justice is equal for all. Delay in the execution of the judgement is no reason to deny their death sentence.

- Delay in the execution of the Death Sentence might be due to their approach with their appeal with the President who can commute their death sentence. But the President has also rejected their plea and there should be no further delay in the execution of the judgement.

- Murdering little innocent kids is no less brutal than a rape offense. A death sentence is definitely the best decision for the ladies who have committed this offense.

- People are good in utilizing the loopholes in the judicial system. This time they are using the delay in the execution of the punishment. Life behind the bars is just a trap and they will further go ahead with more pleas for changing their sentence. In a corrupt India, there is also a possibility that they will keep enjoying a good living with a VIP treatment even behind the bars, which is no punishment for these accused.

- There should not be any scope in the legal book for any other appeals after the judgement of the Supreme Court which is the highest authority of judgement in our country. And the judgement once written by the Supreme Court should be executed without delay. However, their verdict remains the final one which has no scope of change due to delay in any form.

Conclusion

The delay in the justice can be no ground to search for the loophole for escapism. The good things need to be followed even if delayed. It is better to execute the justice in a delayed manner rather than not executing it. Hence, it is not at all acceptable to give any ray of escapism to these ladies for the brutal offense. It is the first Death Sentence post-Independence and let that be the best judgement that our nation have ever focussed, so that all the other accused have the fear of getting executed and they could learn a lesson.