Overview

• The bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta said the government is not ready to evolve when told the option may not be workable.
• The Centre maintained in court that the mode of execution is a policy matter and cited its counter-affidavit to oppose giving prisoners a choice.
• Counsel for the Union said instructions would be sought on the status of a committee earlier flagged to study execution methods.
• The petition by advocate Rishi Malhotra seeks to replace hanging with alternatives such as lethal injection, shooting, electrocution or a gas chamber on Article 21 grounds.
• In past proceedings, the Attorney General recommended an expert panel in 2023, and a 2018 home ministry filing defended hanging as quick and simple.