Overview

• A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta criticized the government's affidavit as resistant to change during hearings this week.
• The Centre, represented by counsel Sonia Mathur, told the court that options like lethal injection, shooting, electrocution or gas chamber are impracticable and fall within executive policy.
• Petitioner Rishi Malhotra seeks recognition of a right to a dignified death and proposes allowing condemned prisoners to choose an alternative to hanging.
• The petition argues hanging can result in prolonged deaths of up to about 40 minutes, whereas methods such as lethal injection may take only minutes, citing UN guidance and international practice including most U.S. states.
• Reports noted practical hurdles to lethal injection, including the need for trained medical staff, disputed anesthetic protocols, and past European curbs on drug supplies; the next Supreme Court hearing is set for November 11.