The Supreme Court took suo motu cognizance on the alleged ‘controversy’ over death sentences being awarded.
The bench has noted that to deal with the issue of death sentences, it must be institutionalized.
A three-judge bench comprising Justices U.U. Lalit, S. Ravindra Bhat & P.S. Narasimha asked the Attorney General of India KK Venugopal to assist the Court over the issue.
AG Venugopal referred to a book from USA over how to deal with the issue for Police, Courts, Advocates, etc. It has been informed that it is institutionalized in the USA.
The bench said, “These people are at a stage where the litigation assistance is minimum.”
The bench has also issued notice to NALSA stating that the apparatus that can re-check everything at every level is with NALSA.
The bench noted that it is accepted by all the counsels that the matter requires consideration at an early date.
Attorney General Venugopal would share relevant material pertaining to other jurisdictions so that assistance can be rendered to this court while deciding instant controversy.
The Supreme Court ordered, “We give liberty to all the counsels to place on record, such material as in their understanding would be needful for the Court.”
K Parmeshwar, the amicus curiae, submitted that there is a policy in the Madhya Pradesh wherein public prosecutors are given increments on the basis of death sentences awarded in matters prosecuted by them, let the policy be placed on record.
The bench has listed the matter on May 10, 2022