REPORTABLE IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL APPEAL NO.

117 OF 2006 State of Punjab - Versus Dalb"# S"n$% ....Re pon&ent( ! .....Appellant( !

J U D G M E N T
GANGULY, J.

'.T%"

appeal at t%e "n tan(e of t%e State %a

been

p#efe##e& f#o) t%e ju&$)ent of t%e D"*" "on +en(% of t%e H"$% Cou#t of Punjab an& Ha#,ana at C%an&"$a#%&ate& Jul, ./- .001 "n C#")"nal Appeal No. .102'334 5%e#eb, H"$% Cou#t $a*e t%e appellant t%e benef"t of &oubt an& a(6u"tte& %") of t%e (%a#$e f#a)e&

a$a"n t %").

2. +#"efl,-

t%e

fa(t

of

t%e a

(a e

a#e

t%at "n at

t%e 74t% t%e

#e pon&ent +attal"on #ele*ant A)#"t a#-

Dalb"# Cent#al

S"n$%Re e#*e po te& On

(on table Fo#(e-

Pol"(e at

t")e

5a

Fate%aba&''t%'337-

D" t#"(t Ha#" %

Punjab.

Ap#"l

C%an&e#- t%e +attal"on Ha*al&a# Majo# (%e#e"nafte# 8+.H.M.9! "n 8Co)pan, D9 of t%e +attal"on- #epo#te& to Ha#" S"n$%- t%e Deput, Co))an&ant :ua#te# Ma te# (%e#e"nafte# 8Deput, Co))an&ant9!- t%at t%e a((u e& %a& #efu e& to (a##, out t%e fat"$ue &ut, a to %"). On u(% #epo#t t%e be"n$ +.H.M. )a&ean& t%e "$ne& Deput,

Co))an&ant

&"#e(te&

Sub

In pe(to#

;e5al S"n$% to p#o&u(e t%e a((u e& befo#e %"). A pe# t%e e t%e &"#e(t"on Deput, t%e a((u e& at 5a p#o&u(e& a.). Upon

befo#e

Co))an&ant

''<'1

be"n$ 5a#ne& *e#ball, about %" t%e o#&e#

non (o)pl"an(e of

fo# fat"$ue &ut,- t%e a((u e& #e6ue te& ue& "n 5#"t"n$. Upon u(% a

t%e 5a#n"n$ to be "

#e pon e- t%e Deput, Co))an&ant o#&e#e& t%e +.H.M. an& t%e Sub In pe(to# to %a*e t%e a((u e& p#e ent befo#e %") t%e ne=t )o#n"n$.

7.Ho5e*e#- "))e&"atel, afte# t%e e tal> - t%e Deput, Co))an&ant9 off"(e a5 f"#"n$ f#o) a Self Loa&"n$ t%e Deput, Co))an&ant %") elf "n "&e "t. A t%e Deput,

R"fle (SLR!- e*en a an& t%e +.H.M. 5e#e

Co))an&ant po "t"one& %") elf un&e#neat% a table- %e alle$e&l, note& t%at "t 5a t%e a((u e& 5%o 5a He

f"#"n$ f#o) a #"fle f#o) a tent p"t(%e& out "&e. 5a alle$e&l, %"t "n %" ba(>. T%e +.H.M. "n %" %oul&e# .

u ta"ne&

)ult"ple bullet "nju#"e

?.T%"

ent"#e

"n("&ent

5a

alle$e&l,

5"tne

e&

b,

Con table Dal"p ;u)a# M" %#a an& Sub In pe(to# ;e5al S"n$%. E*entuall,- 5%en t%e f"#"n$ %a& t%e a((u e& 5a t#,"n$ to #eloa& %" toppe& an& $un- %e 5a

o*e#po5e#e& an& &" a#)e& b, Con table M" %#a. T%e Deput, Co))an&ant &"#e(te& t%e Sub In pe(to# ;e5al S"n$% to %an& o*e# t%e a((u e& to t%e pol"(e- 5%"le %e %") elf an& +.H.M. Ha#" % C%an&e# 5e#e #u %e& to S#" @u#u Nana> Ho p"tal. &"e& en Unfo#tunatel,an& %" +.H.M. 5a

Ha#" %

C%an&e#

#oute

bo&,

"&ent"f"e& "n t%e %o p"tal. T%e Deput, Co))an&ant

3

#e(o#&e& %" PH2.! 5a

tate)ent (E=. PH! an& an F.I.R. (E=. #e$" te#e& at t%e %o p"tal b, Sub

In pe(to# Ja 5ant S"n$%.

1.Du#"n$ "n*e t"$at"on- t%e In*e t"$at"n$ Off"(e#- "n t%e p#e en(e of SI ;e5al S"n$% an& Con table M" %#afoun& .0 e)pt, bulletA(a#t#"&$e +attal"on Hea&6ua#te# e at (E=.P?AP.7! at t%e T%e e 5e#e eale& e)pt,

;%a5a pu#.

ta>en "nto po pa#(el t%#ou$%

"on afte# putt"n$ t%e) "n a #e(o*e#, ent )e)o to t%e (E=.P;!. T%e

(a#t#"&$e

5e#e

Fo#en "(

S("en(e

Labo#ato#, on '1.?.'337 an& t%e SLR 5a .7.?.'337.

fo#5a#&e& on

4.Afte# "n*e t"$at"on a (%allan 5a

put "n t%e Cou#t

of t%e Ila6ua Ma$" t#ate 5%o foun& t%at t%e (a e 5a e=(lu "*el, (o))"tte& t%e 5a t#"able b, t%e Cou#t of Se "on-

a)e to Cou#t of Se

"on. T%e a((u e&

(%a#$e& un&e# Se(t"on 70. an& 70/ of IPC an& Se(t"on ./ of t%e A#) A(t. T%e a((u e& (alle&

un&e#

plea&e& not $u"lt, an& t%e P#o e(ut"on 5a

4

upon to e=a)"ne "t S"n$% (PB.4!SI

5"tne ;e5al

e S"n$%

"n(lu&"n$ DC:M Ha#" (PB./!Con table

M" %#a (PB.3! an& Sub In pe(to# Ja 5ant S"n$%. T%e a((u e&- upon e=a)"nat"on- &en"e& all ("#(u) tan(e an& a e#te& t%at %e 5a "nno(ent T#"al Cou#t an& %a& been

fal el,

")pl"(ate&. t%e

T%e

(on e6uentl, 70. of IPC-

(on*"(te&

a((u e&

un&e#

Se(t"on

enten("n$ %") to #"$o#ou f"ne of R ..-0002A-

")p#" on)ent fo# l"fe an& Se(t"on 70/ of IPC-

un&e#

enten("n$ %") to #"$o#ou

")p#" on)ent fo# 1 ,ea#

an& f"ne of R ..-0002A- an& un&e# Se(t"on ./ of A#) A(t,ea# enten("n$ %") to #"$o#ou an& f"ne of ")p#" on)ent fo# 7 T%e ub tant"*e

R .'-0002A.

enten(e

5e#e o#&e#e& to #un (on(u##entl,.

/.In

t%e

")pu$ne&

ju&$)ent

t%e

H"$%

Cou#t

5%"le

#e*e# "n$ t%e o#&e# of (on*"(t"on foun& t%at t%e#e " o)e "##e(on("lable "n(on " ten(, "n t%e

p#o e(ut"on (a e.

T%e H"$% Cou#t foun& t%at PB.3 &epo e& t%at t%e #e pon&ent pot
5

t%e alle$e& e,e 5"tne 5a app#e%en&e& at t%e

b,

%")

an&

%e

5a

&" a#)e& b, %") an& t%e SLR 5%"(% 5a t%e a((u e& 5a ta>en "n %" po e

be"n$ u e& b, "on an& t%e

a((u e& 5a

%an&e& o*e# to t%e Cou#t.

+ut a((o#&"n$

to t%e In*e t"$at"n$ Off"(e# (IO! PB.'.- %e 5ent to t%e pla(e of o((u##en(e on t%e &ate of o((u##en(e ".e. on ''.?.37- but ne"t%e# t%e a((u e& no# t%e SLR alle$e&l, u e& b, t%e a((u e& 5e#e %an&e& o*e# to %"). T%e fu#t%e# e*"&en(e of t%e IO " t%at on

'?.?.37- t%e a((u e& 5a t%e CRPF %ea&6ua#te# .

%an&e& o*e# to %") out "&e T%en on %" &" (lo u#e u(%

tate)ent t%e SLR 5a

#e(o*e#e&.

In *"e5 of

"##e(on("lable &" (#epan(, "n t%e e*"&en(e of t%e p#o e(ut"on- t%e H"$% Cou#t (a)e to t%e f"n&"n$ t%at t%e p#o e(ut"on 5a t#,"n$ to upp#e a *"tal pa#t

of t%e (a e an& t%e "n("&ent &"& not ta>e pla(e "n t%e )anne# p#e ente& b, t%e p#o e(ut"on. T%e H"$%

Cou#t fu#t%e# foun& t%at e*en t%ou$% t%e p#o e(ut"on alle$at"on " e)pt"e t%at .0 (a#t#"&$e 5e#e f"#e&- onl, / 5e#e

5e#e #e(o*e#e& an& none of t%e bullet T%e H"$% Cou#t foun& t%at t%e

#e(o*e#e&. *e#,

a)e " t%at t%e

u#p#" "n$ 5%en t%e p#o e(ut"on *e# "on " 5e#e a(tuall, f"#e& "n a #oo) to5a#&
6

.0 bullet

"&e 5%e#e t%e#e a#e no 5"n&o5 . It " - t%e#efo#e")po "ble t%at none of t%e bullet %a& been

#e(o*e#e&. H"$% Cou#t

In *"e5 of t%e afo#e a"& f"n&"n$ of t%e t%e a((u e& 5a $"*en t%e benef"t of

&oubt.

C.Be a#e of t%e op"n"on t%at t%e#e "

no #ea on to

"nte#fe#e 5"t% t%e o#&e# of a(6u"ttal $"*en b, t%e H"$% Cou#t "tt"n$ "n ou# ju#" &"(t"on un&e# A#t"(le Be &o not t%"n> t%at t%e e"t%e# pe#*e# e o# not

'74 of t%e Con t"tut"on. o#&e# of t%e H"$% Cou#t "

ba e& on p#ope# app#e("at"on of e*"&en(e. T%e#efo#eon t%e )e#"t of t%e o#&e# of a(6u"ttal $#ante& b, +ut

t%e H"$% Cou#t 5e f"n& no #ea on to "nte#fe#e. "n(e "n t%" Se(t"on ./(7! (a e t%e a((u e& 5a of t%e A#) A(t

(%a#$e& un&e# 8t%e

(%e#e"nafte#-

A(t9! an& a"& A(t %a t%e a"& "

"n(e t%e *"#e

of Se(t"on ./(7! of t%e

been 6ue t"one&- 5e p#o(ee& to e=a)"ne ue "n &eta"l.

3.In t%"

)atte# lea*e 5a a D"*" "on

$#ante& on '4.'..004. of t%" *"#e "n Cou#t "

On ue&

7'.C..0'0-

+en(%

not"(e to t%e Atto#ne, @ene#al a ./(7! of t%e A(t 5a

of Se(t"on t%e a"&

(%allen$e&

p#o(ee&"n$.

10. Pu# uant

to

u(%

not"(e

M#.

@ou#ab

+ane#jee-

t%e

lea#ne& AS@ "n"t"all,

ub)"tte& befo#e t%"

t

Cou#t on

'1t% Ma#(%- .0'' an& a$a"n on .'

Jul,- .0'' t%at a un&e# u(% 5a

p#opo al to a)en& Se(t"on ./(7! of t%e A(t " (on "&e#at"on of t%e @o*e#n)ent of In&"a an& a )atte# 5a
t

a&jou#ne&.

T%e#eafte#

t%e

)atte#

%ea#& on '

De(e)be#- .0'' an& on

ub e6uent &ate

bot% on )e#"t

of t%e H"$% Cou#t o#&e# an& al o on of Se(t"on ./(7! of t%e A(t.

t%e 6ue t"on of *"#e

''. S"n(e t%e Cou#t "

to e=a)"ne t%e (on t"tut"onal ubA e(t"on (7! of t%e A(t"n*ol*e&-

*al"&"t, of Se(t"on ./-

fo# a p#ope# app#e("at"on of t%e 6ue t"on Se(t"on ./ of t%e A(t " et out belo5<A

D27.Punishment for using arms, etc.(1) Whoever uses any arms or ammunition in contravention of section 5 shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than three years but which may extend to seven years and shall also be liable to fine. (2) Whoever uses any prohibited arms or prohibited ammunition in contravention of section shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than seven years but which may extend to imprisonment for life and shall also be liable to fine. (!) Whoever uses any prohibited arms or prohibited ammunition or does any act in contravention of section and such use or act results in the death of any other person" shall be punishable with death.#

'.. T%e p#e ent fo#) of Se(t"on ./ "n(lu&"n$ Se(t"on ./(7! %a (o)e b, 5a, of a)en&)entna)el,b,

A)en&"n$ A(t ?. of '3CC- t%e p#e*"ou ub t"tute&. T%e A#) A(t 5a

Se(t"on ./ 5a At

ena(te& "n '313.

t%e t")e 5%en "t 5a follo5"n$ fo#)<A

ena(te&- Se(t"on ./ 5a

"n t%e

$2 . %unishment for possessin& arms" etc." with intent to use them for unlawful purpose '
9

Whoever has in his possession any arms or ammunition with intent to use the same for any unlawful purpose or to enable any other person to use the same for any unlawful purpose shall" whether such unlawful purpose has been carried into effect or not" be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years" or with fine or with both.#

'7. T%e State)ent

of Obje(t

an& Rea on follo5 <A

of A(t ?. of

'3CC (t%e A)en&"n$ A(t! a#e a

$Act 42 of 1988. - (he )rms )ct" 1*5* had been amended to provide for enhanced punishments in respect of offences under that )ct in the context of escalatin& terrorist and anti-national activities. +owever" it was reported that terrorist and anti-national elements" particularly in %un,ab had in the recent past ac-uired automatic firearms" machine &uns of various types" roc.ets and roc.et launchers. )lthou&h the definitions of the expressions /arms/" /ammunitions/" /prohibited arms/ and $prohibited ammunition# included in the )ct are ade-uate to cover the aforesaid lethal weapons in the matter of punishments for offences relatin& to arms" the )ct did not ma.e any distinction between offences involvin& ordinary arms and the more lethal prohibited arms and prohibited ammunition. 0urther while the )ct provided for punishment of persons in possession of arms and ammunition with intent to use them for any unlawful purpose" it did not provide for any penalties for the actual use of ille&al arms. (o overcome these deficiencies" it was proposed to amend the )ct by providin& for deterrent punishment for offences relatin& to prohibited arms and ammunition and for the ille&al use of firearms and ammunition so as to effectively meet the challen&es from the terrorist and anti-national elements.
1

)ccordin&ly" the )rms ()mendment) 1rdinance" 1*22 was promul&ated by the %resident on the 2 th 3ay" 1*22. (he 1rdinance amended the )ct to provide for the followin&s amon& other thin&s namely4(i) (he definitions of /ammunition/ and /prohibited ammunition/ have been amended to include missiles so as to put the matter beyond any doubt5 (ii) 6eterrent punishments have been provided for offences involvin& prohibited arms and prohibited ammunition5 (iii) %unishments have also been provided for the use of ille&al arms and ammunition and death penalty has been provided if such use causes death./

14. A pe#u al of Se(t"on ./-

ubA e(t"on (7!- t%e *"#e %o5 t%at "f b, )e#e

of 5%"(% %a

been (%allen$e&-

u e of an, p#o%"b"te& a#) o# "f an, a(t " of Se(t"on /- %e

o# p#o%"b"te& a))un"t"on

&one b, an, pe# on "n (ont#a*ent"on %all be pun" %able 5"t% &eat%.

'1. Se(t"on / of t%e po a#) " e "ono#

a"& A(t p#o%"b"t o# ale

a(6u" "t"on o# of p#o%"b"te&

)anufa(tu#e

o# p#o%"b"te& a))un"t"on . T%e et out belo5<A

a"& Se(t"on /

$ . %rohibition of ac-uisition or possession" or of manufacture or sale" of prohibited arms or prohibited ammunition.7o person shall-(a) ac-uire" carry5 or have in his possession or

(b) use" manufacture" sell" transfer" convert" repair" test or prove5 or (c) expose or offer for sale or transfer or have in his possession for sale" transfer" conversion" repair" test or proof5 any prohibited arms or prohibited ammunition unless he has been specially authorised by the 8entral 9overnment in this behalf.#

'4. In

t%e

&ef"n"t"on

(lau e

p#o%"b"te&

a))un"t"on

an& p#o%"b"te& a#) un&e# Se(t"on .-

%a*e been &ef"ne& #e pe(t"*el, ubASe(t"on a"& A(t. (%! an& ("! a#e

#e pe(t"*el, of t%e et out belo5<A

T%o e &ef"n"t"on

$(h) $%rohibited ammunition# means any ammunition" containin&" or desi&ned or adapted to contain" any noxious li-uid" &as or other such thin&" and includes roc.ets" bombs" &renades" shells" missiles articles desi&ned for torpedo service and submarine minin& and such other articles as the 8entral 9overnment may" by notification in the 1fficial 9a:ette" specify to be prohibited ammunition5# $(i) /prohibited arms/ means-1

(i) firearms so desi&ned or adapted that" if pressure is applied to the tri&&er" missiles continue to be dischar&ed until pressure is removed from the tri&&er or the ma&a:ine containin& the missiles is empty" or (ii) weapons of any description desi&ned or adapted for the dischar&e of any noxious li-uid" &as or other such thin&" and includes artillery" anti-aircraft and anti-tan. firearms and such other arms as the 8entral 9overnment may" by notification in the 1fficial 9a:ette" specify to be prohibited arms5#

'/. T%e 5o#& 8a(6u"#e9- 8po not been &ef"ne& un&e# t%e

"on9 o# 8(a##,9 %a a"& A(t no# t%e 5o#&

8u e&9- 8)anufa(tu#e9- 8 ale9- 8(on*e#t9- 8#epa"#98te t9 o# 8p#o*e9 %a*e been &ef"ne& "n t%e A(t. 5o#& 8t#an fe#9 %a onl, been &ef"ne& "n T%e

Se(t"on

.(>! to )ean a

follo5 <A

$(.) $transfer# with its &rammatical variations and co&nate expressions" includes lettin& on hire" lendin&" &ivin& and partin& with possession.#

'C. Se(t"on / ")po e #e pe(t of

a p#o%"b"t"on on (e#ta"n a(t a#)

1

"n but

p#o%"b"te&

an&

a))un"t"on

Se(t"on

&oe

not

pell

out

t%e

penalt,.

T%e

penalt, fo# (ont#a*ent"on of Se(t"on / " un&e# Se(t"on ./(7! of t%e A(t a

p#o*"&e&

)ent"one& abo*e.

'3. If 5e loo> at Se(t"on ./- 5%"(% %a abo*e- "t " &"*"&e& "nto t%#ee

been

et out

ubA e(t"on . SubA an,

e(t"on ' p#e (#"be a#) %all 5%"(%

t%at "f an, pe# on 5%o u e

o# a))un"t"on "n (ont#a*ent"on of be pun" %able 5"t% ")p#" on)ent

e(t"on 1 %e fo# a te#) but

%all not be not le e*en ,ea# 1

t%an t%#ee ,ea# an& %e

5%"(% )a, e=ten& to l"able ale to f"ne.

%all al o be )anufa(tu#e(.! of

Se(t"on

p#o%"b"t

of

a#) ./

an&

a))un"t"on. fo#

SubA e(t"on

Se(t"on

p#o*"&e

%"$%e#

pun" %)ent-

"nte#

al"a- on t%e $#oun& t%at 5%oe*e# u e a#)

an, p#o%"b"te&

o# p#o%"b"te& a))un"t"on "n (ont#a*ent"on of %all be pun" %able 5"t% ")p#" on)ent %all not be le t%an e*en ,ea#

Se(t"on /- %e

fo# a te#) 5%"(%

but 5%"(% )a, e=ten& to ")p#" on)ent fo# l"fe an& %e %all al o be l"able to f"ne.

.0. Se(t"on / p#o%"b"t of )anufa(tu#e o#

a(6u" "t"on o# po aleof

"on- o# a#) o#

p#o%"b"te&

p#o%"b"te& a))un"t"on. T%e#efo#e- bet5een Se(t"on 1 an& Se(t"on / of t%e A(t a &" t"n(t"on %a "n(e )anufa(tu#e an& ale of a#) been )a&e

an& a))un"t"on " 5"t% o# of an&

&ealt 5"t% "n Se(t"on 1 but Se(t"on / &eal p#o%"b"t"on )anufa(tu#e a))un"t"on. (la of o# a(6u" "t"on aleof o# po e "ona#)

p#o%"b"te& " a

T%e#efo#e-

t%e#e

#ea onable

"f"(at"on bet5een Se(t"on 1 an& Se(t"on / of *al"& (la "f"(at"on e*e#"t, of

t%e A(t. Con e6uentl,- t%e#e " bet5een Se(t"on t%e pun" %)ent.

./('! an& ./(.! on t%e

21. +ut

fa#

ubA e(t"on a)e tan&

(7!

of

Se(t"on

./

" "t

(on(e#ne&- t%e ")po e bet5een

apa#t "n a

)u(% a

a )an&ato#, &eat% penalt,. T%e &"ffe#en(e ubA e(t"on (.! an& ubA e(t"on (7! of

Se(t"on ./ " ./ "f a

t%at un&e# u e

ubA e(t"on (.! of Se(t"on an, p#o%"b"te& a#) o# %all

pe# on

a))un"t"on "n (ont#a*ent"on of Se(t"on /- %e

1

be pun" %e& 5"t% ")p#" on)ent fo# a te#) of le t%an e*en ,ea# 5%"(% )a, e=ten& to ")p#" on)ent a"& u e o# "n t%e &eat% 5"t%

fo# l"fe an& al o 5"t% f"ne. +ut "f t%e a(t p#o%"b"te& un&e# Se(t"on / #e ult of an, ot%e# pe# on %e %all be

pun" %able

&eat% penalt,. T%e#efo#e- Se(t"on ./(7! " "n t%e en e / of an,t%"n$ t%e A(t &one an& "n 5"t%

*e#, 5"&e of a

(ont#a*ent"on t%e u e of

Se(t"on

p#o%"b"te& a#)

an& a))un"t"on #e ult"n$ "n &eat% E*en "f an, /na)el,ale-

5"ll att#a(t )an&ato#, &eat% penalt,. a(t &one "n (ont#a*ent"on e of Se(t"on

a(6u" "t"on o# po of p#o%"b"te& a#)

"on- o# )anufa(tu#e o#

#e ult

"n &eat% of an, pe# on%all be

t%e pe# on "n (ont#a*ent"on of Se(t"on / pun" %e& 5"t% &eat%. T%" " t%u

a *e#, &#a t"(

p#o*" "on fo# )an, #ea on . Apa#t f#o) t%e fa(t t%at t%" " ")po e o 5"&el, a )an&ato#, &eat% penalt, t%e Se(t"on 5o#&e& to t%e e=tent t%at "f a a

#e ult of an, a(("&ental o# un"ntent"onal u e o# an, a(("&ent a#" "n$ out of an, a(t "n (ont#a*ent"on of Se(t"on /- &eat% #e ult - t%e onl, pun" %)ent- 5%"(% %a to be )an&ato#"l,
1

")po e&

on

t%e

pe# on

"n

(ont#a*ent"on " - &eat%. It )a, be al o note& "n t%" 5%"(% (onne(t"on " 5"&e# t%at t%an lan$ua$e t%e e=p#e u e& "on " 8#e ult 9 T%e

8(au e 9.

5o#& 8#e ult 9 )ean t%e e=p#e

t%e out(o)e an& "

5"&e# t%an

"on 8(au e 9.

... T%e#efo#e- *e#, 5"&e e=p#e

"on %a

been u e& "n

Se(t"on ./(7! of t%e A(t an& 5"t%out an, $u"&el"ne lea&"n$ to )an&ato#, pun" %)ent of &eat% penalt,.

.7. In t%"

(onne(t"on 5e )a, (o)pa#e Se(t"on 70. of

t%e IPC 5"t% Se(t"on ./(7! of t%e A(t. Se(t"on 70. " a follo5 <

302. Punishment for murder.- Whoever commits murder shall be punished with death" or imprisonment for life" and shall also be liable to fine.#

.?. In

Se(t"on

70.

of

IPC

&eat%

penalt,

"

not

)an&ato#, but "t "

opt"onal. Apa#t f#o) t%at t%e

1

5o#& 8)u#&e#9 %a Se(t"on 700 of

been *e#, elabo#atel, &ef"ne& "n IPC 5"t% *a#"ou e=(ept"on an&

e=planat"on . Se(t"on 700 of IPC "

et out belo5<

300. Murder.-;xcept in the cases hereinafter excepted" culpable homicide is murder" if the act by which the death is caused is done with the intention of causin& death" or<econdly.-=f it is done with the intention of causin& such bodily in,ury as the offender .nows to be li.ely to cause the death of the person to whom the harm is caused" or (hirdly.-=f it is done with the intention of causin& bodily in,ury to any person and the bodily in,ury intended to be inflicted is sufficient in the ordinary course of nature to cause death" or0ourthly.-=f the person committin& the act .nows that it is so imminently dan&erous that it must" in all probability" cause death or such bodily in,ury as is li.ely to cause death" and commits such act without any excuse for incurrin& the ris. of causin& death or such in,ury as aforesaid.

;xception 1.- hen cu!"a#!e homicide is not murder.-8ulpable homicide is not murder if the offender" whilst deprived of the power of self-control by &rave and sudden provocation" causes the death of the person who &ave the provocation or causes
1

the death of any other person by mista.e or accident. (he above exception followin& provisos4is sub,ect to the

0irst.-(hat the provocation is not sou&ht or voluntarily provo.ed by the offender as an excuse for .illin& or doin& harm to any person. <econdly.-(hat the provocation is not &iven by anythin& done in obedience to the law" or by a public servant in the lawful exercise of the powers of such public servant. (hirdly.-(hat the provocation is not &iven by anythin& done in the lawful exercise of the ri&ht of private defence. ;xplanation.-Whether the provocation was &rave and sudden enou&h to prevent the offence from amountin& to murder is a -uestion of fact.#

.1. +ut "n t%e (a e of Se(t"on ./(7! la5 " &e*o"& of an, $u"&el"ne (a#*e& out. It " an& no e=(ept"on $#oun& t%at

totall, %a*e been t%e a"&

(o))on

a)en&)ent of Se(t"on ./ 5a 5%"(% 5a

b#ou$%t about "n '3CC

)u(% afte# t%e Con t"tut"on of In&"a %a

(o)e "nto ope#at"on.

.4. T%e Pa#l"a)ent 5%"le )a>"n$ la5 %a un&e# t%e pe("f"( )an&ate of t%e

to fun(t"on Con t"tut"on.

Apa#t f#o) t%e #e t#"(t"on of le$" lat"*e b, po5e# A#t"(le

")po e& on &" t#"but"on Pa#t on5a#& EI t%e of t%e

un&e# .?1

Con t"tut"on

&"#e(t t%at

)an&ate of t%e Con t"tut"on un&e# A#t"(le '7 " t%e State ab#"&$e %all not )a>e an, la5 5%"(% ta>e t%e #"$%t (onfe##e& b, Pa#t III

a5a, o# of t%e

Con t"tut"on an& an, la5 )a&e "n (ont#a*ent"on of t%e a)e " - to t%e e=tent of (ont#a*ent"on- *o"&. et out %e#e"nbelo5<

A#t"(le '7 "

$13. $a%s inconsistent %ith or in derogation of the fundamenta! rights& (1) )ll laws in force in the territory of =ndia immediately before the commencement of this 8onstitution" in so far as they are inconsistent with the provisions of this %art" shall" to the extent of such inconsistency" be void. (2) (he <tate shall not ma.e any law which ta.es away or abrid&es the ri&hts conferred by this %art and any law made in contravention of this clause shall" to the extent of the contravention" be void. (!) =n this article" otherwise re-uires"(a) order" unless the context

$law# includes any 1rdinance" bye-law" rule" re&ulation"

2

notification" custom or usa&e havin& in the territory of =ndia the force of law5 (b) $laws in force# includes laws passed or made by a >e&islature or other competent authority in the territory of =ndia before the commencement of this 8onstitution and not previously repealed" notwithstandin& that any such law or any part thereof may not be then in operation either at all or in particular areas.

(?) 7othin& in this article shall apply to any amendment of this 8onstitution made under )rticle !@2.

./. It

"

ob*"ou

f#o)

t%e

afo#e a"&

t%at

A#t"(le

'7(.! (lea#l, p#o%"b"t State 5%"(% ta>e

t%e )a>"n$ of an, la5 b, t%e #"$%t - (onfe##e&

a5a, o# ab#"&$e

b, Pa#t III of t%e Con t"tut"on. In t%e e*ent of u(% a la5 be"n$ )a&e t%e e=tent of (ont#a*ent"on. a)e %all be *o"& to t%e

.C. It "

ob*"ou

t%at onl, t%e ju&"("a#, (an $"*e t%e

&e(la#at"on t%at a la5 be"n$ "n (ont#a*ent"on of t%e )an&ate of Pa#tAIII of t%e Con t"tut"on " *o"&.

T%e#efo#e- po5e# of ju&"("al #e*"e5 "

2

"n%e#ent "n

ou# Con t"tut"on. A#t"(le '7 of t%e Con t"tut"on " t%e#efo#e- a un"6ue featu#e "n ou# Con t"tut"on.

29. M#. +ane#jee- t%e lea#ne& A.S.@ appea#"n$ on be%alf

of Un"on of In&"a " ue& "n t%"

ub)"tte& t%at afte# not"(e 5a

)atte# to t%e Atto#ne, @ene#al- t%e

)atte# 5a

e=a)"ne& b, t%e @o*e#n)ent of In&"a an& a

tentat"*e &e(" "on to a)en& Se(t"on ./(7! of t%e A(t #et#o pe(t"*el, 5"t% effe(t f#o) ./t% Ma,- '3CC 5a un&e# t%e (onte)plat"on of t%e @o*e#n)ent. Pu# uant to u(% e=e#(" et%e Un"on Ho)e M"n" te# $a*e

not"(e to t%e Se(#eta#, @ene#al of t%e Lo> Sab%a on '/t% No*e)be#.0'' of "t "ntent"on to )o*e fo#

lea*e to "nt#o&u(e t%e an& t%e +"ll 5a

a"& +"ll "n t%e Lo> Sab%a

"nt#o&u(e& "n t%e Lo> Sab%a "n t%e ou$%t to be

follo5"n$ fo#). T%e fo#) "n 5%"(% "t " "nt#o&u(e& "n t%e Lo> Sab%a " a

follo5 <

$Ae it enacted by %arliament in the <ixty-second year of the Bepublic of =ndia as follows4-

1. (1) (his )ct may <hort title be called the )rms and ()mendment) )ct" 2C11 commencement (2) =t shall be deemed to have come into th force on the 2 day of 3ay" 1*22 5? of 2. =n the )rms )ct" 1*5* in <ection 2 " in 1*5* sub-section (!)" for the words $shall be punishable with death# (he words $shall be punishable with death or imprisonment for life and shall also be liable to fine#" shall be substituted.

30. Leane& A&&l. Sol"("to# @ene#al

ub)"tte& t%at "n t%e Cou#t

l"$%t of t%e afo#e a"& p#onoun(e)ent b, t%"

"n Mithu * . St t! "# Pu$% & F ('3C7! . SCC .//- t%e $o*e#n)ent " e=a)"n"n$ a t%e 6ue t"on of )a>"n$

u"table a)en&)ent ./(7! of t%e A(t.

"n&"(ate& abo*e to Se(t"on

7'. T%"

Cou#t- %o5e*e#- " T%e Cou#t-

not "n(l"ne& to &efe# "t (annot #efu e to

&e(" "on.

%o5e*e#-

e=a)"ne t%e p#o*" "on "n *"e5 of a *e#, fa"# ta>en b, lea#ne& AS@.

tan&

32. T%e

Ju&$e

of

t%"

Cou#t

%a*e

ta>en

an

oat%

to

up%ol& an& p#e e#*e t%e Con t"tut"on an& "t " >no5n t%at t%" a Cou#t %a to p#ote(t

5ell t%e

Con t"tut"on a

ent"nel on t%e 6u" *"*e a$a"n t p#"n("ple an& pe#(ept .

an, ab#"&$e)ent of "t

77. It )a, be note& t%at Se(t"on ./(7! a on &ate 5a (on "&e#e& b, t%" Cou#t

"t "n

tan&

e*e#al

ju&$)ent . T%o e ju&$)ent

a#e note& %e#e"nbelo5.

34. It

5a

(on "&e#e& "n t%e (a e of Su&h 'h R ()u( * A,i ' - )i, $+ $"th!* * . St t! "#

Bi$+

M h * 'ht*

#epo#te& "n (.007! ' SCC 104. In t%at (%a#$e& un&e# Se(t"on

(a e t%e appellant +"n& 5a

70.27? an& al o un&e# Se(t"on ./(7! of t%e A(t an& &eat% enten(e 5a a5a#&e& to +"n& b, t%e Se "on

Cou#t an& t%e

a)e 5a

aff"#)e& b, t%e H"$% Cou#t.

2

T%"

Cou#t 5%"le #e&u("n$ t%e &eat%

enten(e a5a#&e&

b, t%e H"$% Cou#t to one of l"fe &"& not p#onoun(e on t%e (on t"tut"onal *al"&"t, of Se(t"on ./(7! e*en t%ou$% Obje(t t%" an& Cou#t Rea on #efe##e& of t%e to t%e tate)ent A(t of

A)en&"n$

5%"(%

"nt#o&u(e& Se(t"on ./(7!. T%" a#)

Cou#t foun& t%at t%e

"n 6ue t"on (oul& not be b#ou$%t 5"t%"n t%e of 8p#o%"b"te& a#) 9 a &ef"ne& un&e#

&ef"n"t"on

Se(t"on .("! of t%e A(t. T%" o#&e# to b#"n$ t%e a#) "n

Cou#t %el& t%at "n 6ue t"on 5"t%"n t%e

p#o%"b"te& a#) - t%e #e6u"#e)ent of t%e to " ue a but fo#)al a not"f"(at"on State 5a t%" "n

tatute 5a Off"("al on an t%at

t%e

@aGette

t%e

#el,"n$ Cou#t

a&)"n" t#at"*e t%e

not"f"(at"on-

%el&

a)e (annot be t#eate& a

a $aGette not"f"(at"on

an& t%e (on*"(t"on of +"n& un&e# Se(t"on ./(7! of t%e A(t 5a et a "&e. T%" Cou#t &"& not p#onoun(e

e"t%e# 5a, on t%e (on t"tut"onal *al"&"t, of Se(t"on ./(7!. T%e#efo#e- t%e &e(" "on "n Bi$+ ( up#a! " not an aut%o#"t, on t%e (on t"tut"onal *al"&"t, of Se(t"on ./(7! of t%e A(t.

35. Se(t"on .7 5a

a$a"n (on "&e#e& b, t%" Si$.h R ut!,

Cou#t "n t%e

(a e of Su*!$+*

* . St t! "# Bih *

(no5 State of J%a#>%an&! A (.00.! ' SCC .44. T%e appellant Su#en&#a S"n$% Rautela 5a "n"t"all, A(t an& t%e a)e

(on*"(te& un&e# Se(t"on ./(7! of t%e A#) 5a $"*en &eat% penalt,. T%e#eafte#-

enten(e 5a

et a "&e b, t%e H"$% Cou#t on )e#"t .

36. In Su*!$+*

Si$.h ( up#a!- befo#e t%"

Cou#t lea#ne&

en"o# (oun el appea#"n$ on be%alf of t%e State *e#, fa"#l, tate& t%at %e 5a not "n a po "t"on to

(%allen$e t%e o#&e# of a(6u"ttal of t%e appellant un&e# Se(t"on ./(7! on )e#"t . T%e#efo#et%e

6ue t"on of (on t"tut"onal *al"&"t, of Se(t"on ./(7! 5a ne"t%e# (an*a e& no# e=a)"ne& befo#e t%"

Cou#t.

37. T%e

6ue t"on of (on t"tut"onal *al"&"t, of Se(t"on A(t 5a #efe##e& to Full +en(% of

./(7! of t%e A#)

Punjab an& Ha#,ana H"$% Cou#t "n t%e (a e of St t!

"# Pu$% & * . S/ * $ Si$.h A Mu#&e# Refe#en(e No. 1 of .000 &e("&e& on .4.1..003.

38. T%e

)atte#

5ent

befo#e

t%e

Full

+en(%

t%e

D"*" "on +en(% of t%e H"$% Ha#,ana e=p#e

Cou#t of Punjab an& of t%e

e& &oubt about t%e (o##e(tne

&e(" "on #en&e#e& b, t%e D"*" "on +en(% "n S $t")h Si$.h * . St t! "# Pu$% &- .000(7! Re(ent C#")"nal Repo#t 47/.

73. T%e follo5"n$ 6ue t"on

5e#e #a" e&<

("! B%et%e# t%e ju&$)ent of D"*" "on +en(% " (o##e(t "n la5H (""! B%et%e# e(t"on ./(7! of t%e A#) A(t " un(on t"tut"onal be"n$ *"olat"*e of A#t"(le '? an& .' of t%e Con t"tut"on of In&"aH

?0. T%e Cou#t foun& t%at a 707 #"fle %a not"f"e& a a p#o%"b"te& a#) b, t%e

not been Cent#al of

@o*e#n)ent. T%e Cou#t &ealt 5"t% t%e p#o*" "on Rule 7 an& S(%e&ule I to t%e
2

a"& Rule

(ate$o#" "n$

a#) t%e

an& a))un"t"on fo# t%e pu#po e of Rule 7 un&e# a"& A(t.

41. On

u(% (on "&e#at"on- t%e Full +en(%- on a (a#eful 7 an& ? an& t5o S(%e&ule - (a)e to

#ea&"n$ of Rule

a (on(lu "on t%at "n t%e ab en(e of a not"f"(at"on b, t%e @o*e#n)ent &e(la#"n$ 707 #"fle a a

p#o%"b"te& a#)- t%e t%e one p#o%"b"te&

a"& 5eapon (annot be t#eate& a un&e# t%e A(t an& a((o#&"n$l,

aff"#)e& t%e *"e5 ta>en "n t%e (a e of S $t")h Si$.h ( up#a!. Ho5e*e#- t%e Full +en(% &"& not an 5e# t%e 6ue t"on No.. "n t%e l"$%t of t%e la5 &e(la#e& "n Mithu ( up#a!. T%e#efo#e t%e (on t"tut"onal *al"&"t, of Se(t"on ./(7! %a +en(%. not been &e("&e& b, t%e Full

42. T%e 6ue t"on of (on t"tut"onal *al"&"t, of )an&ato#,

&eat%

enten(e 5a

e=a)"ne& b, t%"

(ou#t "n Mithu

( up#a!. In t%at (a e t%e (on t"tut"onal *al"&"t, of

Se(t"on

707

of

IPC

(a)e

up

fo#

(on "&e#at"on.

P#o*" "on of Se(t"on 707 of IPC "

et out belo5<

$303. Punishment for murder #' !ifecon(ict.- Whoever" bein& under sentence of imprisonment for life" commits murder shall be punished with death.#

?7. C%"ef Ju t"(e I.J. C%an&#a(%u& $"*"n$ t%e )ajo#"t, op"n"on %el& t%at t%e enten(e of &eat%- p#e (#"be&

b, Se(t"on 707 of IPC fo# t%e offen(e of )u#&e# (o))"tte& b, a pe# on 5%o " l"fe ")p#" on)ent " a a)e " un&e# a enten(e enten(e of an& t%" "*e t%e

a*a$e

Cou#t %el& t%at t%e be"n$ *"olat"*e of

a#b"t#a#, an& opp#e .' an& '? of

A#t"(le

Con t"tut"on. Rele*ant pa#a .7 at pa$e .34 of t%e #epo#t " et out belo5<

$23. 1n a consideration of the various circumstances which we have mentioned in this ,ud&ment" we are of the opinion that <ection !C! of the %enal 8ode violates the &uarantee of e-uality contained in )rticle 1? as also the ri&ht conferred by )rticle 21 of the 8onstitution that no person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except accordin& to procedure established by law. (he section was
2

ori&inally conceived to discoura&e assaults by life convicts on the prison staff" but the le&islature chose lan&ua&e which far exceeded its intention. (he <ection also assumes that life convicts are a dan&erous breed of humanity as a class. (hat assumption is not supported by any scientific data. )s observed by the Boyal 8ommission in its Beport on $8apital %unishment#4 $(here is a popular belief that prisoners servin& a life sentence after conviction of murder form a specially troublesome and dan&erous class. (hat is not so. 3ost find themselves in prison because they have yielded to temptation under the pressure of a combination of circumstances unli.ely to recur.# =n 6ilip Dumar <harma v. <tate of 3.%." this 8ourt was not concerned with the -uestion of the vires of <ection !C!" but <ar.aria" E." in his concurrin& ,ud&ment" described the vast sweep of that <ection by sayin& that $the section is 6raconian in severity" relentless and inexorable in operation# F<88 para 22" p. 5@ 4 <88 (8ri) p. *2G. We stri.e down <ection !C! of the %enal 8ode as unconstitutional and declare it void. =t is needless to add that all cases of murder will now fall under <ection !C2 of the %enal 8ode and there shall be no mandatory sentence of death for the offence of murder.#

??. In

t%e

a"& 5%o

ju&$)ent5a

C%"ef

Ju t"(e t%e

I.J.

C%an&#a(%u&-

&el"*e#"n$

)ajo#"t,

ju&$)ent ob e#*e& t%at t%e (ou#t %a

to e=e#(" e "t

&" (#et"on "n t%e )atte# of l"fe an& &eat%. In t%e op"n"on of t%e lea#ne& C%"ef Ju t"(e an, p#o(e b, 5%"(% t%e le$" latu#e &ep#"*e enten("n$ t%e (ou#t

of t%e"# le$"t")ate ju#" &"(t"on to e=e#(" e t%e"# &" (#et"on not to ")po e t%e &eat% t%e) to " enten(e "n

app#op#"ate (a e - an& (o)pel e,e to )"t"$at"n$ ("#(u) tan(e

%ut t%e"#

un(on ("onable. '. an&

T%e #ele*ant ob e#*at"on '4 a#e et out belo5

)a&e "n pa#a$#ap%

12. (he other class of cases in which" the offence of murder is committed by a life convict while he is on parole or on bail may now be ta.en up for consideration. ) life convict who is released on parole or on bail may discover that ta.in& undue advanta&e of his absence" a nei&hbour has established illicit intimacy with his wife. =f he finds them in an amorous position and shoots the seducer on the spot" he may stand a fair chance of escapin& from the char&e of murder" since the provocation is both &rave and sudden. Aut if" on seein& his wife in the act of adultery" he leaves the house" &oes to a shop" procures a weapon and returns to .ill her paramour" there would be evidence of what is called mens rea" the intention to .ill. )nd since"
3

he was not actin& on the spur of the moment and went away to fetch a weapon with murder in his mind" he would be &uilty of murder. =t is a travesty of ,ustice not only to sentence such a person to death but to tell him that he shall not be heard why he should not be sentenced to death. )nd" in these circumstances" now does the fact that the accused was under a sentence of life imprisonment when he committed the murder" ,ustify the law that he must be sentenced to deathH =n ordinary life" we will not say it about law" it is not reasonable to add insult to in,ury. Aut" apart from that" a provision of law which deprives the 8ourt of the use of its wise and beneficent discretion in a matter of life and death" without re&ard to the circumstances in which the offence was committed and" therefore" without re&ard to the &ravity of the offence" cannot but be re&arded as harsh" un,ust and unfair. =t has to be remembered that the measure of punishment for an offence is not afforded by the label which that offence bears" as for example ItheftJ" Ibreach of trustJ or ImurderJ. (he &ravity of the offence furnishes the &uideline for punishment and one cannot determine how &rave the offence is without havin& re&ard to the circumstances in which it was committed" its motivation and its repercussions. (he le&islature cannot ma.e relevant circumstances irrelevant" deprive the courts of their le&itimate ,urisdiction to exercise their discretion not to impose the death sentence in appropriate cases" compel them to shut their eyes to miti&atin& circumstances and inflict upon them the dubious and unconscionable duty of imposin& a preordained sentence of death. ;-uity and &ood conscience are the hallmar.s of ,ustice. (he mandatory sentence of death prescribed by <ection !C!" with no discretion left to the court
3

to have re&ard to the circumstances which led to the commission of the crime" is a relic of ancient history. =n the times in which we live" that is the lawless law of military re&imes. We" the people of =ndia" are pled&ed to a different set of values. 0or us" law ceases to have respect and relevance when it compels the dispensers of ,ustice to deliver blind verdicts by decreein& that no matter what the circumstances of the crime" the criminal shall be han&ed by the nec. until he is dead.

1). (hus" there is no ,ustification for prescribin& a mandatory sentence of death for the offence of murder committed inside or outside the prison by a person who is under the sentence of life imprisonment. ) standardi:ed mandatory sentence" and that too in the form of a sentence of death" fails to ta.e into account the facts and circumstances of each particular case. =t is those facts and circumstances which constitute a safe &uideline for determinin& the -uestion of sentence in each individual case. $(he infinite variety of cases and facets to each would ma.e &eneral standards either meanin&less Iboiler plateJ or a statement of the obviousKK.# )s observed by %ale.ar" E." who spo.e for a 8onstitution Aench in Ea&mohan <in&h v. <tate of L.%.4 F<88 para 2@" p. !54 <88 (8ri) p. 12?G $(he impossibility of layin& down standards is at the very core of the criminal law as administered in =ndia which invests the ,ud&es with a very wide discretion in the matter of fixin& the de&ree of punishment.... (he exercise of ,udicial discretion on well-reco&nised principles is" in the
3

final analysis" the safest safe&uard for the accused.#

possible

?1. In %"

(on(u##"n$ ju&$)ent Ju t"(e O. C%"nnappa follo5 <

Re&&, %el& a

$2*. Eud&ed in the li&ht shed by 3ane.a 9andhi and Aachan <in&h" it is impossible to uphold <ection !C! as valid. <ection !C! excludes ,udicial discretion. (he scales of ,ustice are removed from the hands of the Eud&e so soon as he pronounces the accused &uilty of the offence. <o final" so irrevocable and so irrestitutable Fsic irresuscitableG is the sentence of death that no law which provides for it without involvement of the ,udicial mind can be said to be fair" ,ust and reasonable. <uch a law must necessarily be sti&matised as arbitrary and oppressive. <ection !C! is such a law and it must &o the way of all bad laws. = a&ree with my >ord 8hief Eustice that <ection !C!" =ndian %enal 8ode" must be struc. down as unconstitutional.#

46. It "

no5 5ell

ettle& t%at "n *"e5 of &e(" "on "n F ('3/C! ' SCC .?C-

M $!)

G $+hi * . U$i"$ "# I$+i

B 0h $ Si$.h J . St t! "# Pu$% & F ('3C0! . SCC 4C? an& Mithu ( up#a! 8&ue p#o(e ou# Con t"tut"onal ju#" p#u&en(e.
3

of la59 "

pa#t of

47. T%e

Con t"tut"on

+en(%

"n

Su$i,

B t*

* .

D!,hi %a

A+(i$i't* ti"$

$+ Oth!*' F ('3/C! ? SCC ?3?-

al o %el& t%at t%e $ua#antee a$a"n t (#uel an& %a# % pun" %)ent $"*en "n t%e E"$%t% A)en&)ent of t%e U.S. Con t"tut"on " al o pa#t of ou# (on t"tut"onal of la59

$ua#antee. On(e t%e (on(ept of 8&ue p#o(e

an& t%e $ua#antee a$a"n t %a# % an& (#uel pun" %)ent (E"$%t% 5o*en "n A)en&)ent ou# of t%e U.S. Con t"tut"on! "t " a#e t%e

Con t"tut"onal

$ua#antee-

&ut, of t%"

Cou#t to up%ol& t%e ee>

a)e 5%ene*e# an, a)e.

tatute e*en p#")aAfa("e T%" al o ee)

to "n*a&e t%e

to be t%e )an&ate of A#t"(le '7(.!

of t%e Con t"tut"on of In&"a.

?C. M#.

+ane#jeea

lea#ne& to

AS@ t%"

%a Cou#t f#o) b,

#en&e#e& pla("n$

(on "&e#able befo#e t%e

" tan(e Cou#t

ju&$)ent

&"ffe#ent

ju#" &"(t"on on t%e 6ue t"on of )an&ato#, (ap"tal pun" %)ent an& al o &e(" "on (a e 5%e#e Cou#t e=a)"ne&

of (#uel an& unu uall, %a# % pun" %)ent.

3

49. In t%"

(onne(t"on 5e )a, #efe# to t%e ju&$)ent of

t%e U.S. Sup#e)e Cou#t "n t%e (a e of J (!' T1*"$! 2""+'"$ $+ Lu&1 2 3t"$ * . St t! "# N"*th C *",i$ In t%at (a e t%e

?.C US .C0 K ?3 L E& .& 3??. pet"t"one#

5e#e (on*"(te& of f"# t &e$#ee )u#&e# "n

*"e5 of t%e"# pa#t"("pat"on "n an a#)e& #obbe#, of a foo& to#e. 5a In t%e (ou# e of (o))"tt"n$ t%e (#")e a >"lle& an& a (u to)e# 5a e*e#el,

(a %"e# 5oun&e&. (%a#$e No#t%

T%e pet"t"one# an&

5e#e foun& $u"lt, of t%e

enten(e& to &eat%. T%e Sup#e)e Cou#t of aff"#)e& t%e a)e. +ut t%en

Ca#ol"na

(e#t"o#a#" 5a e=a)"ne t%e

$#ante& b, t%e U.S. Sup#e)e Cou#t to 6ue t"on 5%et%e# ")po "t"on of &eat%

penalt, "n t%at (a e (on t"tute& a *"olat"on of t%e E"$%t% an& Fou#teent% A)en&)ent of t%e U.S.

Con t"tut"on. " t%at "n a

T%e fa(tual ba(>$#oun& of t%at (a e '3/? No#t% Ca#ol"na @ene#al t%e A e)bl,

(o&"f"e&

tatute

)a>"n$

&eat%

)an&ato#,

enten(e fo# all pe# on )u#&e#. t%at t%e Ste5a#t- J.a"&

(on*"(te& of f"# t &e$#ee pea>"n$ fo# t%e Cou#t %el& &eat% enten(e 5a

)an&ato#,
3

un(on t"tut"onal an& *"olate& t%e E"$%t% A)en&)ent. T%e lea#ne& Ju&$e %el&<A $K) process that accords no si&nificance to relevant facets of the character and record of the individual offender or the circumstances of the particular offense excludes from consideration in fixin& the ultimate punishment of death the possibility of compassionate or miti&atin& frailties of human.ind. =t treats all persons convicted of a desi&nated offense not as uni-uely individual human bein&s" but as members of a faceless" undifferentiated mass to be sub,ected to the blind infliction of the penalty of death. .... (his 8ourt has previously reco&ni:ed that $for the determination of sentences" ,ustice &enerally re-uires consideration of more than the particular acts by which the crime was committed and that there be ta.en into account the circumstances of the offense to&ether with the character and propensities of the offender./ .... 8onsideration of both the offender and the offense in order to arrive at a ,ust and appropriate sentence has been viewed as a pro&ressive and humani:in& development. ...While the prevailin& practice of individuali:in& sentencin& determinations &enerally reflects simply enli&htened policy rather than a constitutional imperative" we believe that in capital cases the fundamental respect for humanity underlyin& the ;i&hth )mendment" see (rop v 6ulles" !5@ L<" at 1CC" 2 > ;d 2d @!C" 2 < 8t 5*C (plurality opinion)" re-uires consideration of the character and record of the individual offender and the circumstances of the particular offense as a constitutionally indispensable part of the process of inflictin& the penalty of death. ... (his conclusion rests s-uarely on the predicate that the penalty of death is -ualitatively different from a sentence of imprisonment" however lon&. 6eath" in its finality" differs more from life imprisonment than a 1CC-year prison term differs from one of only a year or two. Aecause of that
3

-ualitative difference" there is a correspondin& difference in the need for reliability in the determination that death is the appropriate punishment in a specific case.#

10. Ho5e*e#-

t#on$ &"

ent 5a

e=p#e

e& b, Ju t"(e

B%"te- C%"ef Ju t"(e +u#$e# an& Ju t"(e Re%n6u" t. A((o#&"n$ to t%e e lea#ne& Ju&$e - No#t% Ca#ol"na tatute p#o*"&"n$ fo# )an&ato#, &eat% penalt, upon p#oof of $u"lt "n a (a e of f"# t &e$#ee )u#&e# 5a (on t"tut"onall, *al"&.

51. A

")"la# (on(lu "on 5a

p#onoun(e& on t%e

a)e &a,

".e. .n& Jul,- '3/4 "n St $i', u' R"&!*t' * . St t! "# L"ui'i $ - ?.C US 7.1 K ?3 L E& .& 3/? "n a (a e of &eat% penalt, fo# a (#")e of f"# t &e$#ee )u#&e# un&e# t%e la5 Ste*en pa$e $"*"n$ of Lou" "ana. t%e )ajo#"t, Ju t"(e Jo%n Paul op"n"on follo5 <A ob e#*e& at

3C'A3C. of t%e #epo#t a

$K(he history of mandatory death penalty statutes indicates a firm societal view that limitin& the scope of capital murder is an inade-uate response to the harshness and inflexibility of a mandatory death
3

sentence statute. ... ) lar&e &roup of ,urisdictions first responded to the unacceptable severity of the common-law rule of automatic death sentences for all murder convictions by narrowin& the definition of capital homicide. ;ach of these ,urisdictions found that approach insufficient and subse-uently substituted discretionary sentencin& for mandatory death sentences. <ee Woodson v 7orth 8arolina" ante" at 2*C-2*2" ?* > ;d 2d *??" *@ < 8t 2* 2.# $(he futility of attemptin& to solve the problems of mandatory death penalty statutes by narrowin& the scope of the capital offense stems from our societyMs re,ection of the belief that /every offense in a li.e le&al cate&ory calls for an identical punishment without re&ard to the past life and habits of a particular offender#. Williams v 7ew Nor." !! L< 2?1" 2? " *! > ;d 1!! " @* < 8t 1C * (1*?*). <ee also %ennsylvania v )she" !C2 L< 51" 55" 22 > ;d ?!" 52 < 8t 5* (1*! ).# $(he constitutional vice of mandatory death sentence statutes - lac. of focus on the circumstances of the particular offense and the character and propensities of the offender - is not resolved by >ouisianaMs limitation of first-de&ree murder to various cate&ories of .illin&s. (he diversity of circumstances presented in cases fallin& within the sin&le cate&ory of .illin&s durin& the commission of a specified felony" as well as the variety of possible offenders involved in such crimes" underscores the ri&idity of >ouisianaMs enactment and its similarity to the 7orth 8arolina statute. ;ven the other more narrowly drawn cate&ories of first-de&ree murder in the >ouisiana law afford no meanin&ful opportunity for consideration of miti&atin& factors presented by the circumstances the particular crime or by the attributes of the individual offender.#

1.. He#e

al o J.-

C%"ef an&

Ju t"(e Re%n6u" t3

+u#$e#J.&"

B%"te ente&

J.an&

+al(>)u)-

up%el& tatute.

t%e

(on t"tut"onal"t,

of

t%e

Lou" "ana

53. In 4 **1 R"&!*t' * . St t! "# L"ui'i $ - ?7' US 477

K 1. L E& .& 47/- t%e (a e a#o e out of a Lou" "ana tatute ")po "n$ )an&ato#, &eat% penalt, fo# t%e

f"# t &e$#ee )u#&e# of a pol"(e off"(e#. op"ne&<A

T%e Cou#t

$(o be sure" the fact that the murder victim was a peace officer performin& his re&ular duties may be re&arded as an a&&ravatin& circumstance. (here is a special interest in affordin& protection to these public servants who re&ularly must ris. their lives in order to &uard the safety of other persons and property. Aut it is incorrect to suppose that no miti&atin& circumstances can exist when the victim is a police officer. 8ircumstances such as the youth of the offender" the absence of any prior conviction" the influence of dru&s" alcohol" or extreme emotional disturbance" and even the existence of circumstances which the offender reasonably believed provided a moral ,ustification for his conduct are all examples of miti&atin& facts which mi&ht attend the .illin& of a peace officer and which are considered relevant in other ,urisdictions. )s we emphasi:ed repeatedly in Boberts and its companion cases decided last (erm" it is essential that the capital sentencin& decision allow for consideration of whatever miti&atin& circumstances may be relevant to either the particular offender
4

or the particular offense. Aecause the >ouisiana statute does not allow for consideration of particulari:ed miti&atin& factors" it is unconstitutional.#

1?. A((o#&"n$l,- &eat% penalt, 5a )ajo#"t, an& t%e )atte# 5a

et a "&e b, t%e fo# fu#t%e#

#e)"tte&

p#o(ee&"n$.

He#e al o C%"ef Ju t"(e +u#$e#- Ju t"(e

+la(>)u)- Ju t"(e B%"te an& Ju t"(e Re%n6u" t $a*e t#on$ &" ent op"n"n$ t%at t%e tatute 5a

(on t"tut"onall, *al"&.

55. A$a"n

")"la#

6ue t"on

(a)e

up

befo#e

t%e

U.S.

Sup#e)e Cou#t "n G!"*.! Su((!* * . R 1("$+ 2 ,, 0! Shu( $- ?C7 US 44 K 3/ L E& .& 14. T%" (a e (a)e

f#o) Ne*a&a 5%"(% )an&ate& &eat% penalt, fo# )u#&e# (o))"tte& b, a pe# on 5%"le 5"t%out t%e po e#*"n$ a l"fe T%e enten(e tatuto#,

"b"l"t, of pa#ole. (a e " Penal

p#o*" "on (on "&e#e& "n t%" to Se(t"on 707 of In&"an

o)e5%at a>"n Ju t"(e

Co&e.

+la(>)u) &el"*e#"n$ t%e )ajo#"t, op"n"on %el& t%at Ne*a&a tatute 5a un(on t"tut"onal be"n$ *"olat"*e

of E"$%t% an& Fou#teent% A)en&)ent . Ju&$e %el&<A

T%e lea#ne&

$KK(his 8ourt has reco&ni:ed time and a&ain that the level of criminal responsibility of a person convicted of murder may vary accordin& to the extent of that individualMs participation in the crime. <ee" e.&." (ison v )ri:ona" ?21 L< 1! " *5 > ;d 2d 12 "1C < 8t 1@ @ (1*2 )5 ;nmund 0lorida" ?52 L< 22" ! > ;d 2d 11?C" 1C2 < 8t !!@2 (1*22). Eust as the level of an offenderMs involvement in a routine crime varies" so too can the level of involvement of an inmate in a violent prison incident. )n inmateMs participation may be sufficient to support a murder conviction" but in some cases it may not be sufficient to render death an appropriate sentence" even thou&h it is a life-term inmate or an inmate servin& a particular number of years who is involved. KK(he circumstances surroundin& any past offense may vary widely as well. Without consideration of the nature of the predicate life-term offense and the circumstances surroundin& the commission of that offense" the label /life-term inmate/ reveals little about the inmateMs record or character. ;ven if the offense was firstde&ree murder" whether the defendant was the primary force in that incident" or a no tri&&erman li.e <human" may be relevant to both his criminal record and his character. Net under the mandatory statute" all predicate life-term offenses are &iven the same wei&ht - a wei&ht that is deemed to outwei&h any possible combination of miti&atin& circumstances./

14. T%e Cou#t "n " te& on a $u"&e& &" (#et"on on t%e tatute b, %ol&"n$<A

$Kstate interests can be satisfied fully throu&h the use of a &uided-discretion statute that ensures adherence to constitutional mandate of hei&htened reliability in death-penalty determinations throu&h individuali:ed sentencin& procedures. +avin& reached unanimity on the constitutional si&nificance of individuali:ed sentencin& in capital cases" we decline to depart from that mandate in this case today. We a&ree with the courts below that the statute under which respondent <human was sentenced to death did not comport with the ;i&hth and 0ourteenth )mendments.#

1/. T%"

ju&$)ent 5a

al o &"

ente& b, Ju t"(e B%"te-

C%"ef Ju t"(e Re%n6u" t an& Ju t"(e S(al"a.

58. In

t%"

(onne(t"on

"f

5e

loo>

at

o)e

of

t%e

ju&$)ent f"n& t%e

&el"*e#e& b, t%e P#"*, Coun("l 5e 5oul& a)e p#"n("ple %a been follo5e& "n R!1!' In an& %e

* . Th! 5u!!$- (.00.! . AC .71 K (.00.! U;PC ''. R!1!' ( up#a! to t%e &eat% appellant un&e# t%e 5a la5 (on*"(te& of +el"Ge

enten(e&

(o))"tte& t%e )u#&e# b,

%oot"n$.

T%e P#"*, Coun("l ue on

$#ante& lea*e to t%e a((u e& to #a" e t5o " (on t"tut"onal po"nt "nf#"n$e

F ("! )an&ato#, &eat% penalt, ubje(t"on to

bot% t%e p#ote(t"on a$a"n t

4

"n%u)an o# &e$#a&"n$ pun" %)ent o# ot%e# t#eat)ent "n *"olat"on of #"$%t un&e# Se(t"on / of t%e

Con t"tut"on of +el"Ge an& al o "n *"olat"on of t%e #"$%t to l"fe p#ote(te& un&e# Se(t"on t%e a"& Con t"tut"on. of T%e e(on& " 7 an& ? of ue 5a on t%e an& a

(on t"tut"onal"t, Se(t"on / of t%e

%an$"n$.

Se(t"on of

?('! a#e

Con t"tut"on

+el"Ge

follo5 <A $?(1). ) person shall not be deprived his life intentionally save in execution the sentence of a court in respect of criminal offence under any law of which has been convicted.# of of a he

$ . 7o person shall be sub,ected to torture or to inhuman or de&radin& punishment or other treatment.#

59. In t%e (a e of

R!1!' ( up#a! t%e &e(" "on of t%"

Cou#t "n Mithu (pa#a 74 pa$e .1. of t%e #epo#t! a al o t%e &e(" "on of t%" Cou#t "n B 0h $ Si$.h

(pa#a ?7- pa$e .14 of t%e #epo#t! 5e#e (on "&e#e&. T%e +oa#& ob e#*e&<A

$K(he Aoard is however satisfied that the provision re-uirin& sentence of death to be
4

passed on the defendant on his conviction of murder by shootin& sub,ected him to inhuman or de&radin& punishment or other treatment incompatible with his ri&ht under section of the 8onstitution in that it re-uired sentence of death to be passed and precluded any ,udicial consideration of the humanity of condemnin& him to death. (he use of firearms by dan&erous and a&&ressive criminals is an undoubted social evil and" so lon& as the death penalty is retained" there may well be murders by shootin& which ,ustify the ultimate penalty. Aut there will also be murders of -uite a different character (for instance" murders arisin& from sudden -uarrels within a family" or between nei&hbours" involvin& the use of a firearm le&itimately owned for no criminal or a&&ressive purpose) in which the death penalty would be plainly excessive and disproportionate. =n a crime of this .ind there may well be matters relatin& both to the offence and the offender which ou&ht properly to be considered before sentence is passed. (o deny the offender the opportunity" before sentence is passed" to see. to persuade the court that in all the circumstances to condemn him to death would be disproportionate and inappropriate is to treat him as no human bein& should be treated and thus to deny his basic humanity" the core of the ri&ht which section exists to protectK#

40. In pa#a$#ap% ?? at pa$e .1/ of t%e #epo#t t%e +oa#& )a&e a *e#, *al"& an& *e#, "nte#e t"n$ et

&" t"n(t"on bet5een )e#(, an& ju t"(e- 5%"(% " out belo5<A $LL3ercy" in its first meanin& &iven by the 1xford ;n&lish 6ictionary" means forbearance and compassion shown by one person to another who is in his power and who has no claim to receive .indness. Aoth in lan&ua&e and literature mercy and ,ustice are contrasted. (he administration
4

of ,ustice involves the determination of what punishment a trans&ressor deserves" the fixin& of the appropriate sentence for the crime. (he &rant of mercy involves the determination that a trans&ressor need not suffer the punishment he deserves" that the appropriate sentence may for some reason be remitted. (he former is a ,udicial" the latter an executive" responsibilityKK. =t has been repeatedly held that not only determination of &uilt but also determination of the appropriate measure of punishment are ,udicial not executive functions. .... (he opportunity to see. mercy from a body such as the )dvisory 8ouncil cannot cure a constitutional defect in the sentencin& process.#

4'. T%e P#"*, Coun("l t%u

o*e##ule& t%e &e(" "on of

t%e Cou#t of Appeal of +el"Ge.

62. In R!.i$

*. 4u.h!'- (.00.! . AC .13 K (.00.! U;PC &efen&ant (a((u e&! 5a (on*"(te& b, t%e

'.-

t%e

H"$% Cou#t of Sa"nt Lu("a fo# )u#&e#. Co&e of Sa"nt Lu("a p#o*"&e& &eat% ")po e& on an,bo&, 5%o " Hu$%e 5a

T%e C#")"nal enten(e to be

(on*"(te& of )u#&e# an& T%e +oa#& foun& t%at

enten(e& to &eat%.

un&e# Se(t"on '/C of t%e C#")"nal Co&e- ")po "t"on of &eat% enten(e fo# )u#&e# 5a )an&ato#, an& t%e e# enten(e. T%e

Cou#t %a& no po5e# to ")po e a le +oa#& %el& u(% "n%u)an

4

an&

&e$#a&"n$

enten("n$

p#o(e&u#e Cou#t9

to

be

*o"&.

In

t%"

(a e

al o

t%"

&e(" "on "n Mithu ( up#a! an& B 0h $ Si$.h In

( up#a! 5e#e (on "&e#e& b, t%e P#"*, Coun("l. pa#a$#ap% 1.- t%e +oa#& %el&<A

$KK=t follows that the decision as to the appropriate penalty to impose in the case of murder should be ta.en by the ,ud&e after hearin& submissions and" where appropriate" evidence on the matter. =n reachin& and articulatin& such decisions" the ,ud&es will enunciate the relevant factors to be considered and the wei&ht to be &iven to them" havin& re&ard to the situation in <aint >ucia. (he burden thus laid on the shoulders of the ,udiciary is undoubtedly heavy but it is one that has been carried by ,ud&es in other systems. (heir >ordships are confident that the ,ud&es of <aint >ucia will dischar&e this new responsibility with all due care and s.ill.#

47. T%e#efo#e- t%e (on t"tut"onal"t, of Se(t"on '/C of t%e tatute 5a not aff"#)e& an& "n tea& )atte# 5a

left to t%e &" (#et"on of t%e ju&$e .

64. T%e 6ue t"on a$a"n (a)e up befo#e t%e P#"*, Coun("l

"n t%e (a e of F"3 * . Th! 5u!!$ (.00. (.! AC .C?!.

65. In t%at (a e t%e &efen&ant 5a

(on*"(te& b, t%e H"$% on t5o (ount of

Cou#t of Sa"nt C%#" op%e# an& Ne*" )u#&e# an& %e 5a

enten(e& to &eat% on ea(% (ount a$a"n t t%e

pu# uant to Se(t"on . of t%e Offen(e

Pe# on A(t- 'C/7- 5%"(% p#e (#"be& a )an&ato#, &eat% enten(e fo# )u#&e#. an& enten(e 5a &" )" H" appeal a$a"n t (on*"(t"on

e& b, t%e Ea te#n Ca#"bbean

Cou#t of Appeal (Sa"nt C%#" top%e# an& Ne*" !. T%en t%e Ju&"("al Co))"ttee of t%e P#"*, Coun("l $#ante& %") an& pe("al lea*e to appeal a$a"n t bot% (on*"(t"on enten(e. Ult")atel, appeal 5a &" )" e&

a$a"n t (on*"(t"on- but on t%e 6ue t"on of t%e P#"*, Coun("l a$a"n t %el& t%e t%at Pe# on Se(t"on A(t.

enten(e of t%e 5a

offen(e

'C/7

"n(on " tent 5"t% a((o#&"n$l, )atte# 5a

e(t"on / of t%e Con t"tut"on an& 6ua %e& an& t%e

enten(e of &eat% 5a

#e)"tte& to t%e H"$% Cou#t to &ete#)"ne enten(e %a*"n$ #e$a#& to all t%e

t%e app#op#"ate ("#(u) tan(e e*"&en(e &o"n$

of t%e (a e an& "n t%e l"$%t of t%e to t%e (%o"(e of enten(e . In

#ele*ant

o t%e P#"*, Coun("l appl"e& "t

#at"o "n t%e

(a e of R!1!' ( up#a! an& al o t%e #at"o "n R!.i$ ( up#a!.

66. T%e

P#"*, Coun("l a$a"n %a& to (on "&e# t%e

a)e

6ue t"on "n B"/! 6 A$*. * . Th! 5u!!$ A(.004! ' BLR '4.7. In t%at (a e al o bot% %e appellant 5e#e

(on*"(te& fo# )u#&e# an&

enten(e& to &eat% "n te#)

of t%e Se(t"on 7'. of t%e Penal Co&e of T%e +a%a)a an& t%e"# appeal a$a"n t (on*"(t"on &"& not

u((ee&.

4/. Se(t"on e=tent

7'.

of

t%e

Co&e

5a

(%allen$e& pe# on

to

t%e t%an

t%at

"t

p#o*"&e

t%at

ot%e#

p#e$nant 5o)en (%a#$e& fo# )u#&e# un&e# Se(t"on 7'. of t%e Co&e )u t be pun" %e& b, &eat% enten(e.

4C. In

t%at

(a e

t%e

Cou#t

of

Appeal

%el&

b,

)ajo#"t, t%at an, (%allen$e to t%e (on t"tut"onal"t, of t%e Co&e p#o*"&"n$ fo# )an&ato#, )a&e to t%e Sup#e)e Cou#t.
4

enten(e )u t be

43. Allo5"n$ t%e appeal- t%e P#"*, Coun("l %el& t%at t%e Cou#t of appeal e##e& "n (on t#u"n$ A#t"(le .C of t%e Con t"tut"on a p#e(lu&"n$ "t f#o)

ente#ta"n"n$ a (%allen$e to t%e (on t"tut"onal"t, of a enten("n$ p#o*" "on.

/0. In pa#a$#ap% .3 of t%e ju&$)ent- t%e P#"*, Coun("l fo#)ulate& t%e p#"n("ple 5%"(% a#e #ele*ant fo#

(on "&e#at"on "n a (a e of )an&ato#, &eat% T%e a"& p#"n("ple a#e et out belo5<

enten(e.

(=) =t is a fundamental principle of ,ust sentencin& that the punishment imposed on a convicted defendant should be proportionate to the &ravity of the crime of which he has been convicted. (==) (he criminal culpability of convicted of murder varies widely. (===)7ot all those deserve to die. convicted of those very murder

(=V) %rinciples (=)" (==) and (===) are reco&nised in the law or practice of all" or almost all" states which impose the capital penalty for murder.
5

(V) Lnder an entrenched and codified 8onstitution on the Westminster model" consistently with the rule of law" any discretionary ,ud&ment on the measure of punishment which a convicted defendant should suffer must be made by the ,udiciary and not by the executive.

/'. T%e

P#"*,

Coun("l

an 5e#e&

t%e

6ue t"on

"n

pa#a$#ap%

70- 7'- 7.- 7? an& 71 of t%e ju&$)ent.

/.. In pa#a ?7 t%e (on(lu "on of t%e +oa#& 5a follo5 < $(he Aoard will accordin&ly advise +er 3a,esty that section !12 should be construed as imposin& a discretionary and not a mandatory sentence of death. <o construed" it was continued under the 1* ! 8onstitution. (hese appeals should be allowed" the death sentences -uashed and the cases remitted to the <upreme 8ourt for consideration of the appropriate sentences. <hould the <upreme court" on remission" consider sentence of death to be merited in either case" -uestions will arise on the lawfulness of implementin& such a sentence" but they are not -uestions for the Aoard on these appeals.#

73. In t%e un#epo#te& ju&$)ent of t%e P#"*, Coun("l "n

+ernard ,oard and -thers vs. .he Attorne' /enera! (C#")"nal Appeal No. '02.004! t%e a)e p#"n("ple %a

been up%el&. In t%at appeal f#o) t%e Cou#t of Appeal of @#ena&a- t%e Ju&"("al Co))"ttee of P#"*, Coun("l (on " te& Hoff)annof Lo#& Lo#& +"n$%a) of of Bo#t% Co#n%"llMat#a*e# Lo#& Lo#&

P%"ll"p

Ca# 5ell an& Lo#& +#o5n of EatonAun&e#AHe,5oo&. T%e fa(t 5a 5e#e t%at "n @#ena&a- a #e*olut"ona#, outf"t pl"t "nto t5o fa(t"on - one of 5%"(% 5a le& b,

t%e appellant +e#na#& Coa#&. In a *"olent "n("&ent Mau#"(e +" %op- t%e t%en P#")e M"n" te# of @#ena&a an& ot%e# t%at 5e#e e=e(ute& b, Coa#&9 t%e appellant uppo#te# . O*e# 5e#e )an&ato#"l,

"n("&ent-

enten(e& to &eat% fo# )u#&e#. Ho5e*e# t%e @o*e#no# @ene#al (o))ute& an& t%e t%e a &eat% pa#&on 5a be enten(e $#ante& >ept "n to on l"fe t%e

")p#" on)ent(on&"t"on t%at

appellant

(u to&,

5"t% %a#& labou# fo# t%e #e)a"n&e# of t%e"# l"*e . T%e appellant (%allen$e& t%e
5

enten(e.

74. T%e +oa#&- 5%"le #eje(t"n$ t%e ot%e# (ontent"on b,

t%e appellant- allo5e& t%e appeal on t%e $#oun& t%at t%e )an&ato#, &eat% enten(e 5a p#e*"ou un(on t"tut"onal. &e(" "on "n 0egina

T%e +oa#& #el"e& on "t

(supra). In pa#a$#ap% 7. of t%e ju&$)ent- t%e +oa#& "n(l"ne& "n fa*ou# of a((ept"n$ t%e p#"n("ple of

&ete#)"nat"on of a t%an a((ept"n$ t%e

enten(e b, t%e ju&"("a#, #at%e# tatuto#, )an&ate of a &eat%

enten(e. T%e ju&$)ent b, Lo#& Hoff)ann la"& &o5n t%e follo5"n$ p#"n("ple < $!2. 0ifthly" and perhaps most important" is the hi&hly unusual circumstance that" for obvious reasons" the -uestion of appellantsJ fate is so politically char&ed that it is hardly reasonable to expect any 9overnment of 9renada" even 2! years after the tra&ic events of 1ctober 1*2!" to ta.e an ob,ective view of the matter. =n their >ordships opinion that ma.es it all the more important that the determination of the appropriate sentence for the appellants" ta.in& into account such pro&ress as they have made in prison" should be the sub,ect of a ,udicial determination.#

75. S")"la# p#"n("ple

5e#e follo5e& "n t%e H"$% Cou#t $+ Ca e

of Mala5" "n t%e (a e of F* $0i' 7 # $t 1!$i Oth!*' vs. Att"*$!1 G!$!* , (Con t"tut"onal

No.'. of .001 M.00/N M.B.H.C.'!. Fa(t t%at t%e a((u e& 5a (on*"(te& of

t%e#e"n 5e#e )u#&e# an&

enten(e& to )an&ato#, &eat% penalt,. T%e (%allen$e to t%e (on t"tut"onal"t, of &eat% penalt, 5a on

fou# $#oun& - all ba e& on t%e Mala5" Con t"tut"on. T%e f"# t $#oun& #elate& to &ep#a*at"on of #"$%t to l"fe un&e# Se(t"on '4- t%e e(on& #elate& to "n%u)an

an& &e$#a&"n$ t#eat)ent un&e# Se(t"on '3- t%e t%"#& #elate& to #"$%t to a fa"# t#"al un&e# Se(t"on ?. (.! (f! an& f"nall, t%e fou#t% (%allen$e 5a *"olate& State. p#"n("ple of epa#at"on of t%at "t of

po5e#

76. T%e

Cou#t- afte# anal,G"n$ t%e #ele*ant p#o*" "on t%e Con t"tut"on aut%o#"t, o# an& t%e Penal Co&ean& t%e &o5n

of

lea&"n$

0e'es

(supra)-

t#u(>

)an&ato#, &eat% penalt, %ol&"n$ t%at 5a

u(% penalt,

&e$#a&"n$ an& "n%u)an- an& &en"e& t%e #"$%t to a

5

fa"# t#"al. T%e Cou#t e=p#e follo5"n$ 5o#& <

e& "t

op"n"on "n t%e

$We a&ree with counsel that the effect of the mandatory death sentence under section 21C of the 3alawi %enal 8ode for the crime of murder is to deny the accused as a convicted person the ri&ht to have his or her sentence reviewed by a hi&her court than the court that imposed the sentence5 and we hold that this is a violation of the ri&ht to a fair trial which in our ,ud&ment extends to sentencin&.#

//. In

t%e (on(lu&"n$

po#t"on of

t%e ju&$)ent-

t%e

(ou#t- b, e=e#(" "n$ a &e$#ee of (aut"on- ob e#*e& a follo5 < $%ursuant to <ection 5 of the 8onstitution" we declare section 21C of the %enal 8ode to be invalid to the extent of the mandatory re-uirement of the death sentence for the offence of murder. 0or the removal of doubt" we state that our declaration does not outlaw the death penalty for the offence of murder" but only the mandatory re-uirement of the death penalty for that offence. (he effect of our decision is to brin& ,udicial discretion into sentencin& for the offence of murder" so that the offender shall be liable to be sentenced to death only as the maximum punishment.#

78. T%e

Sup#e)e

Cou#t

of

U$an&a-

at

Men$o-

t#u(>

")"la# note "n t%e (a e of Att"*$!1 G!$!* , * . Su' $ 7i.u, $+ 817 "th!*' (Con t"tut"on " ue Appeal

No.072.004!. Out of t%e *a#"ou

u#$e& befo#e of U$an&a5e#e of a

t%e Cou#t- one of t%e) 5a - t%at t%e la5 5%"(% p#o*"&e fo# an& afte# )an&ato#, t%at a t%e lon$ &eat%

enten(e out a

un(on t"tut"onal &eat% enten(e

(a##,"n$ &ela, "

(#uel-

"n%u)an an& &e$#a&"n$ t#eat)ent. E6uall, &e$#a&"n$ " t%e le$al )o&e of (a##,"n$ out a &eat% enten(e

b, %an$"n$. T%e )ajo#"t, of t%e ju&$e

b, #el,"n$

upon Mithu ( up#a! an& 0e'es ( up#a!- J (!' T1*"$! 2""+'"$ ( up#a! %el& t%at ")po "t"on of )an&ato#, &eat% enten(e fo# (e#ta"n offen(e 5a been

un(on t"tut"onal. A )o t pe#t"nent #ul"n$ %a $"*en "n t%e follo5"n$ 5o#& < $=n our view if there is one situation where the framers of the 8onstitution expected an in-uiry" it is the one involvin& a death penalty. (he report of the Eud&e is considered so important that it forms a basis for advisin& the %resident on the exercise of the prero&ative of mercy. Why should it not have informed the Eud&e in passin& sentence in the first place.#
5

/3. Fu#t%e#)o#e-

t%e

a&)"n" t#at"on

of

ju t"(e

5a

(on "&e#e& a fun(t"on of t%e Ju&"("a#, un&e# A#t"(le '.4 of t%e Con t"tut"on. T%e ent"#e p#o(e of t#"al

f#o) t%e a##a"$n)ent of an a((u e& pe# on to %" 2%e# enten("n$ ju t"(e. 5a +, 5%at (on t"tute a&)"n" t#at"on &eat% of

p#o*"&"n$

)an&ato#,

penalt, enten(e to be

Pa#l"a)ent #e)o*e& t%e po5e# to &ete#)"ne f#o) t%e Cou#t9 po5e# an& t%at- t%e Cou#t "

"n(on " tent 5"t% A#t"(le '.4 of t%e Con t"tut"on.

T%e Cou#t fu#t%e# %el&< DBe &o not a$#ee 5"t% lea#ne& (oun el fo# t%e Atto#ne, @ene#al t%at be(au e Pa#l"a)ent %a t%e po5e# to pa la5 fo# t%e $oo& $o*e#nan(e of U$an&a- "t (an pa u(% la5 a t%o e p#o*"&"n$ fo# a )an&ato#, &eat% enten(e. In an, (a e- t%e La5 pa e& b, Pa#l"a)ent )u t be (on " tent 5"t% t%e Con t"tut"on a p#o*"&e& fo# "n a#t"(le . (.! of t%e Con t"tut"on.O

It al o %el&< DFu#t%e#)o#e- t%e Con t"tut"on p#o*"&e fo# t%e epa#at"on of po5e# bet5een t%e E=e(ut"*et%e Le$" latu#e an& t%e
5

Ju&"("a#,. An, la5 pa e& b, Pa#l"a)ent 5%"(% %a t%e effe(t of t,"n$ t%e %an& of t%e ju&"("a#, "n e=e(ut"n$ "t fun(t"on to a&)"n" te# ju t"(e " "n(on " tent 5"t% t%e Con t"tut"on. Be al o a$#ee 5"t% P#ofe o# Se)peb5a- fo# t%e #e pon&ent t%at t%e po5e# $"*en to t%e (ou#t un&e# a#t"(le .. ('! &oe not top at (onf"#)at"on of (on*"(t"on. T%e Cou#t %a po5e# to (onf"#) bot% (on*"(t"on an& enten(e. T%" ")pl"e a po5e# NOT to (onf"#)- ")pl,"n$ t%at (ou#t %a been $"*en &" (#et"on "n t%e )atte#. An, la5 t%at fette# t%at &" (#et"on " "n(on " tent 5"t% t%" (lea# p#o*" "on of t%e Con t"tut"on.O

80. In

t"ll

)o#e

#e(ent

&e(" "on

"n

t%e

(a e

of

G"+#*!1 N."th" Muti'" * . R!9u&,i0 (C#")"nal Appeal No.'/2.00C!- t%e ;en,an Cou#t of Appeal p#onoun(e& "t ju&$)ent "n a (#")"nal appeal a#" "n$ f#o) t%e

ju&$)ent of t%e H"$% Cou#t of ;en,a. T%e t%#eeAju&$e +en(% &el"*e#"n$ t%e *e#&"(t- (on "&e#e& t%e )atte# a an " ue of "n$ula# %" to#"(al )o)ent "n t%e

(ount#, "n &eal"n$ 5"t% t%e offen(e of )u#&e# an& penalt, of &eat%.

C'. T%e Cou#t fo#)ulate& t%e follo5"n$ p#opo "t"on<

$=n its ,ud&ment" the 8ourt of )ppeal clarified the various issues" particularly" the fact that the appellant did not challen&e the conviction for the offence of murder nor the constitutionality of the death penalty itself. (he 8ourt then framed the issue for determination and listed out the various authorities relied upon by the counsel. (he submissions made by the counsel for the appellants were summari:ed by the 8ourt as follows4 $(he imposition of the mandatory death penalty for particular offences is neither authori:ed nor prohibited in the 8onstitution. )s the 8onstitution is silent" it is for the courts to &ive a valid constitutional interpretation on the mandatory nature of sentence. 3andatory death sentence is antithetical to fundamental human ri&hts and there is no constitutional ,ustification for it. ) convicted person ou&ht to be &iven an opportunity to show why the death sentence should not be passed a&ainst him. (he imposition of a mandatory death sentence is arbitrary because the offence of murder covers a broad spectrum. 3a.in& the sentence mandatory would therefore be an affront to the human ri&hts of the accused. <ection 2C? of the %enal 8ode is unconstitutional and ou&ht to be declared a nullity. )lternatively the word $shall# ou&ht to be construed as $may#.

(here is a denial to (sic of) a fair hearin& when no opportunity is &iven to an accused person to offer miti&atin& circumstances before sentence" which is the normal procedure in all other trials for noncapital offences. <entencin& was part of the trial and miti&ation was an element of fair trial. <entencin& is a matter of law and part of the administration of ,ustice which is the preserve of the Eudiciary. %arliament should therefore only prescribe the maximum sentence and leave the courts to administer ,ustice by sentencin& the offenders accordin& to the &ravity and circumstances of the case.#

C..

+, fo#)ulat"n$ t%e afo#e a"& p#opo "t"on - t%e

Cou#t %el& t%at Se(t"on .0? of t%e Penal Co&e 5%"(% p#o*"&e& fo# )an&ato#, &eat% penalt, 5a

un(on t"tut"onal.

83. Ho5e*e#- a &" (o#&ant note 5a

t#u(> b, t%e P#"*, "n t%e (a e of and Another-

Coun("l "n one of "t -ng Ah ,huan vs.

ol& ju&$)ent

Pu#!ic

Prosecutor

('3C'! A.C. 4?C. T%e ju&$)ent 5a

#en&e#e& b, Lo#&

D"plo(>- "n a +en(% (on " t"n$ of Lo#& D"plo(>- Lo#&

6

;e"t% of ;"n>el- Lo#& S(a#)an an& Lo#& Ro >"ll. T%e +oa#& %ea#& t%e appeal f#o) t%e Cou#t of C#")"nal Appeal f#o) S"n$apo#e- a$a"n t a (on*"(t"on fo# t%e offen(e of &#u$ t#aff"(>"n$ of %e#o"ne "n S"n$apo#e. A t%e a)ount of %e#o"ne 5a )o#e t%an '1 $#a) "n

ea(% (a e- a

enten(e of &eat% 5a

")po e& on ea(%

of t%e &efen&ant . E*en t%ou$%- befo#e t%e Cou#t of Appeal- t%e (on t"tut"onal"t, of t%e p#o*" "on t%e D#u$ A(t 5a befo#e t%e +oa#& " not (%allen$e&- lea*e 5a on ue t%o e 5a " t%at II "n ue . t%e of

ou$%t t%e "n

E pe("all, p#o*" "on

(on t"tut"onal Se(t"on penalt, e=(e .3 fo# of "n

S(%e&ule

fo#

)an&ato#,

&eat% "n 5a

t#aff"(>"n$ t%e

(ont#olle&

&#u$ -

p#e (#"be&

6uant"t"e -

un(on t"tut"onal.

C?. T%e +oa#& pe#)"tte& t%e 6ue t"on Ult")atel,f"n&"n$ < t%e +oa#& (a)e to

to be #a" e&. t%e follo5"n$

$(he social ob,ect of the 6ru&s )ct is to prevent the &rowth of dru& addition in <in&apore by stampin& out the illicit dru&
6

trade and" in particular" the trade in those most dan&erously addictive dru&s" heroin and morphine. (he social evil caused by traffic.in& which the 6ru&s )ct see.s to prevent is broadly proportional to the -uantity of addictive dru&s brou&ht on to the illicit mar.et. (here is nothin& unreasonable in the le&islatureJs holdin& the view that an illicit dealer on the wholesale scale who operates near the apex of the distributive pyramid re-uires a stron&er deterrent to his transactions and deserves more condi&n punishment than do dealers on a smaller scale who operate nearer the base of the pyramid. =t is for the le&islature to determine in the li&ht of information that is available to it about the structure of the illicit dru& trade in <in&apore" and the way in which it is carried on" where the appropriate -uantitative boundary lies between these two classes of dealers. 7o plausible reason has been advanced for su&&estin& that fixin& a boundary at transactions which involve 15 &rams of heroin or more is so low as to be purely arbitrary.

T%e Cou#t al o %el&< DB%e#e*e# a (#")"nal la5 p#o*"&e fo# a )an&ato#, enten(e fo# an offen(e t%e#e " a po "b"l"t, t%at t%e#e )a, be (on "&e#able *a#"at"on "n )o#al bla)e5o#t%"ne - &e p"te t%e ")"la#"t, "n le$al $u"lt of offen&e# upon 5%o) t%e a)e )an&ato#, enten(e )u t be pa e&. In t%e (a e of )u#&e#- a (#")e t%at " often (o))"tte& "n t%e %eat of pa "on- t%e l">el"%oo& of t%" " *e#, #ealP "t " pe#%ap )o#e t%eo#et"(al t%an #eal "n t%e
6

(a e of la#$e (ale t#aff"(>"n$ "n &#u$ a (#")e of 5%"(% t%e )ot"*e " (ol& (al(ulate& 5"t% e6ual pun"t"*e t#eat)ent fo# ")"la# le$al $u"lt.O (Pa$e 4/? of t%e #epo#t!

C1. In

t%e"#

Lo#& %"p 9

*"e5

t%e#e

"

not%"n$

un(on t"tut"onal "n t%e p#o*" "on fo# a )an&ato#, &eat% penalt, fo# t#aff"(>"n$ "n "$n"f"(ant

6uant"t"e

of %e#o"n an& )o#p%"ne. T%e"# Lo#& %"p &eat% penalt, t%e

%el& t%at t%e 6uant"t, t%at att#a(t " o %"$% a

to #ule out t%e not"on t%at "t "

>"n& of (#")e t%at )"$%t be (o))"tte& b, a $oo& %ea#te& Sa)a#"tan out of t%e >"n&ne a 5a of %" %ea#t

u$$e te& "n t%e (ou# e of a#$u)ent. +ut "f

b, an, (%an(e "t 5e#e to %appen- t%e p#e#o$at"*e of )e#(, " a*a"lable to )"t"$ate t%e #"$"&"t, of t%e

la5 5%"(% t%e lon$ e tabl" %e& (on t"tut"onal 5a, of &o"n$ " t%e a)e "n S"n$apo#e a "n En$lan&. (4/?

of t%e #epo#t!

86. Ho5e*e# t%e afo#e a"& op"n"on of Lo#& D"plo(>- 5a

ub e6uentl, not"(e& b, t%e P#"*, Coun("l "n +o%e

6

(supra) at pa$e '4??- 5%e#e"n t%e &e(" "on "n -ng Ah ,huan (supra) 5a e=pla"ne& "nte# al"aon t%e not

$#oun& t%at t%e Con t"tut"on of S"n$apo#e &oe %a*e a (o)pa#able p#o*" "on l">e t%e

E"$%t%

A)en&)ent of t%e A)e#"(an Con t"tut"on #elat"n$ to (#uel an& unu ual pun" %)ent.

C/. It "

(lea# f#o) t%e &" (u &eat% penalt, "n*al"& an %a "n

"on %e#e"nabo*e t%at been *a#"ou foun& to be

)an&ato#,

(on t"tut"onall, 5%e#e #"$%t t%e#e of " t%e

ju#" &"(t"on an& "n t%e a

"n&epen&ent a#e

ju&"("a#, p#ote(te&

("t"Gen

Con t"tut"on.

88. It

%a

al#ea&, been note& %e#e"nabo*e t%at "n ou# t%e (on(ept of 8&ue p#o(e 9 5a Cou#t

Con t"tut"on

"n(o#po#ate& "n *"e5 of t%e ju&$)ent of t%" "n M $!) G $+hi ( up#a!. T%e p#"n("ple

of E"$%t%

A)en&)ent %a*e al o been "n(o#po#ate& "n ou# la5 . T%" %a been a(>no5le&$e& b, t%e Con t"tut"on +en(% Cou#t "n Su$i, B t*
6

of t%"

( up#a!.

In pa#a 1. at

pa$e

1'C

of

t%e

#epo#t-

Ju t"(e follo5 <

;#" %na

I,e#

pea>"n$ fo# t%e +en(% %el& a

$*2. (rue" our 8onstitution has no Idue processJ clause or the V=== )mendment5 but" in this branch of law" after 8ooper and 3ane.a 9andhi the conse-uence is the same. 0or what is punitively outra&eous" scandali:in&ly unusual or cruel and rehabilitatively counter-productive" is unar&uably unreasonable and arbitrary and is shot down by )rticles 1? and 1* and if inflicted with procedural unfairness" falls foul of )rticle 21.#

89. Al)o t

on

"&ent"(al un&e# been

p#"n("ple Se(t"on %el&

)an&ato#, 707 of t%e

&eat% In&"an b, t%e

penalt, Penal

p#o*"&e& Co&e %a

ult#a

*"#e

Con t"tut"on +en(% of t%" Apa#t f#o) t%at "t appea#

Cou#t "n Mithu ( up#a!. t%at "n Se(t"on ./(7! of

t%e A(t t%e p#o*" "on of )an&ato#, &eat% penalt, " )o#e un#ea onable "na )u(% "t p#o*"&e an, p#o%"b"te& a#) 5%oe*e# u e

o# p#o%"b"te& a))un"t"on o# a(t u(% u e o# a(t

"n (ont#a*ent"on of Se(t"on / an& "f #e ult

"n t%e &eat% of an, ot%e# pe# on t%en t%at u(% u e o# a(t"n$ "n (ont#a*ent"on

pe# on $u"lt, of of Se(t"on /

%all be pun" %able 5"t% &eat%. T%e

6

5o#&

8u e9

%a

not

been

&ef"ne&

"n

t%e

A(t.

T%e#efo#e- t%e 5o#& 8u e9 %a (o))on )ean"n$. In *"e5 of t%e 5o#& 8u e9 u e e*en an "n

to be *"e5e& "n "t

u(% *e#, 5"&e )ean"n$ of un"ntent"onal &eat% of an, o# an

a(("&ental pe# on

#e ult"n$

ot%e#

%all

ubje(t t%e pe# on

o u "n$ to a &eat%

penalt,. +ot% t%e 5o#& 5"&e. Su(% a la5 " "t fa"# an& fall

8u e9 an& 8#e ult9 a#e *e#,

ne"t%e# ju t- #ea onable no# " 9 te t.

out of t%e 8&ue p#o(e

30. A

la5

5%"(%

"

not

(on " tent

5"t%

not"on

of

fa"#ne

5%"le "t ")po e

an "##e*e# "ble penalt,

l">e &eat% penalt, " #"$%t an& #ea on.

#epu$nant to t%e (on(ept of

3'. In D#. +on%a) (a e A ('4'0! C Co Rep ''?a < //ER 4?4Lo#& Co>e a$o. e=pla"ne& T%e (la t%" (on(ept e*e#al b, Lo#&

(entu#"e Co>e " <A

"(al

fo#)ulat"on

DIt appea# "n ou# boo> - t%at "n )an, (a e - t%e (o))on la5 5"ll (ont#ol a(t of Pa#l"a)ent- an& o)et")e a&ju&$e t%e) to be utte#l, *o"&< fo# 5%en an a(t of Pa#l"a)ent " a$a"n t (o))on #"$%t an& #ea on- o# #epu$nant- o# ")po "ble to be pe#fo#)e&t%e (o))on la5 5"ll (ont#ol "t an& a&ju&$e u(% a(t to be *o"&.O

92. T%e p#"n("ple of 8&ue p#o(e

9 " T%"

an e)anat"on f#o) 5a a((epte& "n

t%e

Ma$na

Ca#ta

&o(t#"ne.

A)e#"(an ju#" p#u&en(e MSee Mu$$ * . I,,i$"i'- .? L E&. // < 3? US ''7- '?. ('C/4!N.

93. A$a"n t%"

5a

a(>no5le&$e& "n P, $$!+ P *!$th""+ "# P!$$'1,: $i * . C '!1'.0 L ED .&

S"uth! 't!*$

4/?- 5%e#e"n t%e A)e#"(an Sup#e)e Cou#t ob e#*e& a follo5 < $(he &uarantees of due process" thou&h havin& their roots in 3a&na 8artaJs Iper le&em terraeJ and considered as procedural safe&uards Ia&ainst executive usurpation and tyranny"J have in this country Ibecome bulwar.s also a&ainst arbitrary le&islationJ.#

3?. All

t%e e

(on(ept

of

8&ue

p#o(e

an&

t%e been

(on(ept of a ju t- fa"# an& #ea onable la5 %a

6

#ea& b, t%" '? an& .'

Cou#t "nto t%e $ua#antee un&e# A#t"(le of t%e Con t"tut"on. T%e#efo#et%e

p#o*" "on of Se(t"on ./(7! of t%e A(t " of A#t"(le '? an& .' of t%e Con t"tut"on.

*"olat"*e

31. Apa#t f#o) t%at t%e

a"& Se(t"on ./ (7! "

a po t

Con t"tut"onal la5 an& %a A#t"(le '7(.! " '7 a 5%"(% "

to obe, t%e "njun(t"on of an& e=pl"("t. A#t"(le

(lea#

follo5 <

$1!(2) (he <tate shall not ma.e any law which ta.es away or abrid&es the ri&hts conferred by this %art and any law made in contravention of this clause shall" to the extent of the contravention" be void.#

34. In *"e5 of t%e afo#e a"& )an&ate of A#t"(le '7 of t%e Con t"tut"on 5%"(% " of ou# Con t"tut"onan A#t"(le 5"t%"n Pa#tAIII Se(t"on ./(7! %a*"n$ been

ena(te& "n (lea# (ont#a*ent"on of Pa#tAIII #"$%t Se(t"on ./(7! of t%e A(t " an& .' an& " *o"&. #epu$nant to A#t"(le '?

3/. Se(t"on

./(7!

of

t%e

A(t

al o

&ep#"*e

t%e

ju&"("a#, f#o) &" (%a#$"n$ "t

Con t"tut"onal &ut"e t%e po5e# of u "n$

of ju&"("al #e*"e5 5%e#eb, "t %a &" (#et"on "n t%e

enten("n$ p#o(e&u#e.

98. T%"

po5e# %a

been a(>no5le&$e& "n Se(t"on 70. of

t%e In&"an Penal Co&e an& "n B 0h $ Si$.h ( up#a! (a e "t %a to be been %el& t%at t%e "n a((o#&an(e enten("n$ po5e# %a 5"t% t%e tatuto#,

e=e#(" e&

enten("n$ un&e#

t#u(tu#e un&e# Se(t"on .71(.! an& al o 71?(7! of t%e Co&e of C#")"nal

Se(t"on

P#o(e&u#e.

99. Se(t"on

./(7! of t%e )an&ato#, aluta#, to

a"& A(t 5%"le pu#po#t"n$ to penalt, "n t%e ee> Co&e. "n to null"f, T%" "

")po e t%o e

&eat%

p#o*" "on la5 la"&

(ont#a#, ( up#a!.

t%e

&o5n

B 0h $

Si$.h

100.

In

fa(t of

t%e

(%allen$e penalt,

to

t%e

(on t"tut"onal Se(t"on 70. of

*al"&"t,

&eat%

un&e#

In&"an Penal Co&e %a ( up#a! Se(t"on P#o(e&u#e "n *"e5 of an&

been ne$at"*e& "n B 0h $ Si$.h t%e 71? enten("n$ (7! of t#u(tu#e t%e "n

.71(.! Co&e.

C#")"nal &eat%

+,

")po "n$

)an&ato#,

penalt,- Se(t"on ./(7! of t%e A(t #un t%o e tatuto#, "n afe$ua#& t%e )atte#

(ont#a#, to

5%"(% $"*e ju&"("a#, t%e ")po "n$ t%u &eat% penalt,. t%e

&" (#et"on

Se(t"on ./(7! of t%e A(t "

ult#a *"#e

(on(ept of ju&"("al #e*"e5 5%"(% " featu#e of ou# Con t"tut"on.

one of t%e ba "(

101.

It %a

al o been &" (u

e& %e#e"nabo*e t%at t%e

#at"o "n bot% B 0h $ Si$.h ( up#a! an& Mithu ( up#a! %a been un"*e# all, a(#o a(>no5le&$e& "n e*e#al

ju#" &"(t"on a (o##e(t

t%e 5o#l& an& %a of A#t"(le

been a((epte& .' $ua#antee. an& B 0h $

a#t"(ulat"on t%e #at"o "n

T%e#efo#e-

Mithu

( up#a!

Si$.h ( up#a! #ep#e ent

t%e (on(ept of Eus co&ens

)ean"n$ t%e#eb, t%e pe#e)pto#, non &e#o$able no#) "n

7

"nte#nat"onal l"be#t,. '0.. T%at " 5%, A(t .'

la5

fo#

p#ote(t"on

of

l"fe

an&

"t of

%a '3/C

been of

p#o*"&e& t%e

b,

t%e

??t% t%at

A)en&)ent A#t"(le

Con t"tut"one*en

(annot of

be

u pen&e& un&e#

&u#"n$ 713(*"&e

p#o(la)at"on

e)e#$en(,

A#t"(le

A#t"(le 713('!(a! of t%e Con t"tut"on. '07. T%" t%e A#) Cou#t t%e#efo#e %ol& A(t " t%at Se(t"on ./(7! of of

a$a"n t t%e fun&a)ental tenet &e*elope& b, t%" t%at Se(t"on Cou#t.

ou# Con t"tut"onal la5 a '0?. T%" Cou#t &e(la#e

./(7! of

A#)

A(t- '313 " &e(la#e& )e#"t

ult#a *"#e T%e appeal

t%e Con t"tut"on an& " " t%u &" )" e& on

*o"&.

an& t%e H"$% Cou#t ju&$)ent a(6u"tt"n$ t%e aff"#)e&. .......................J. (ASO; ;UMAR @AN@ULI!

#e pon&ent "

Ne5 Del%" Feb#ua#, '- .0'.

7

.......................J. (JA@DISH SIN@H ;HEHAR!