Looking for alternatives to hanging: Centre to SC

THE CENTRE WAS RESPONDING TO A PLEA THAT DEATH ROW CONVICTS BE ALLOWED TO CHOOSE BETWEEN HANGING AND LETHAL INJECTION

- Utkarsh Anand

The Union government informed the Supreme Court on Tuesday that it is examining whether a less painful and more humane method of execution could replace hanging, though no final decision has been taken so far.

Attorney General R Venkataramani told a bench of justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta that deliberations were underway, and the Centre would require more time before it could present a concrete position.

“I am alive to the issue. Some proceedings have taken place...But no decision has been taken so far,” said the attorney general, responding to a plea seeking that death row convicts be allowed to choose between hanging and lethal injection. “There is no urgency. No hanging is taking place right now,” added Venkataramani, requesting a deferment.