Death row convicts are taking advantage of an inordinate delay in deciding mercy petitions, the Supreme Court has said while directing the state governments and authorities concerned to see such pleas are decided and disposed of at the earliest.
A bench of Justices MR Shah and CT Ravikumar said even after the final conclusion by the top court, there is an inordinate delay in not deciding the mercy petition, the object and purpose of the death sentence would be frustrate
“Therefore, as such, all efforts shall be made by the State Government and/or the concerned authorities to see that mercy petitions are decided and disposed of at the earliest, so that even the accused can also know his fate and even justice is also done to the victim,” the bench said.
