uoi v. sriharan

8/12/2019 UOI v. Sriharan

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/uoi-v-sriharan 1/40

REPORTABLE

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA

CRIMINAL ORIGINAL JURISDICTION

WRIT PETITION (CRL.) NO. 48 OF 2014

Union of India .... Petitioner(s)

Versus

V. Sriharan @ Murugan & Ors. ....Respondent(s)

WITH

WRIT PETITION (CRL.) NO. 105 OF 2008

CRL. M.P. NO.4622 OF 2014 IN T.C. (CRL.) NO.1 OF 2012

CRL. M.P. NO. 462 OF 2014 IN T.C. (CRL.) NO. 2 OF 2012

CRL. M.P. NO. 4624 OF 2014 IN T.C. (CRL.) NO. OF 2012

J U D G M E N T

P. S!"#!$%&!' CJI.

W%" P*"%"%+, (C-.) N+. 48 + 2014

) This !rit petition" under #rti$%e ' of the onstitution

of India" has een fi%ed * the Union of India pra*ing for

+uashing of %etter dated ,.-'.'-" issued * the hief

1



C%'%,!- M.P. N+$. 4622/24 + 2014

) When the State of Ta1i% 2adu" in their %etter dated

,.-'.'-" sought for 0ie!s of the Union of India for the

re%ease of Respondent 2os. 34 in Writ Petition (ri1ina%)

2o. 6 of '- !ithin three da*s fro1 the date of re$eipt

of the sa1e" the Union of India fi%ed the ao0e $ri1ina%

1is$. petitions efore this ourt pra*ing for restraining

the State /o0ern1ent fro1 passing an* order of

re1ission and re%easing the1 fro1 prison.

F!"!- B!3+,

) Pursuant to the 5udg1ent of this ourt dated

6.-'.'- in V. Sriharan @ Murugan (supra)" the

/o0ern1ent of Ta1i% 2adu too= a de$ision to grant

re1ission to Respondent 2os. to 4. #$$ording%*" the

/o0ern1ent of Ta1i% 2adu sent a %etter dated ,.-'.'-

to the Se$retar* to the /o0ern1ent of India" Ministr* of

Ho1e #ffairs" stating that it proposes to re1it the

senten$e of %ife i1prison1ent on V. Sriharan @ Murugan"

3



T. Suthendrara5a @ Santhan and #./. Perari0a%an @ #ri0u

and re%ease the1. In that %etter" it !as further stated that

four other persons" na1e%*" >a*a=u1ar" Roert Pa*as" S.

2a%ini and P. Ra0i$handran" $on0i$ted in the sa1e

assassination !ou%d a%so pro$ure si1i%ar re1ission.

<esides" it !as asserted in the %etter that sin$e the $ri1e

!as in0estigated * the entra% <ureau of In0estigation

(<I) and as per Se$tion 9 of the ode of ri1ina%

Pro$edure" ,4 (in short ?the ode)" the State

/o0ern1ent" !hi%e eAer$ising its po!er under Se$tion '

of the ode" 1ust a$t after $onsu%tation !ith the entra%

/o0ern1ent" a$$ording%*" it re+uested to indi$ate the

0ie!s of the Union of India !ithin three da*s on the

proposa% to re%ease the se0en persons 1entioned ao0e.

9) #$$ording%*" in these 1atters" !e are $a%%ed upon to

de$ide the %egiti1a$* of the proposa% of the State

/o0ern1ent to re%ease Respondent 2os. to 4" !ho are

fa$ing %ife senten$e. Bor the purpose of disposa% of the

issue in +uestion" !e reiterate the re%e0ant pro0isions.

Se$tions ' and 9 of the ode read as underC

?42 / P+* "+ $$7*, + *'%" $*,"*,*$

4



() When an* person has een senten$ed topunish1ent for an offen$e" the appropriate/o0ern1ent 1a*" at an* %i1e" !ithout $onditions orupon an* $onditions !hi$h the person senten$eda$$epts" suspend the eAe$ution of his senten$e or

re1it the !ho%e or an* part of the punish1ent to !hi$hhe has een senten$ed.

(') Whene0er an app%i$ation is 1ade to the appropriate/o0ern1ent for the suspension or re1ission of asenten$e" the appropriate /o0ern1ent 1a* re+uirethe presiding >udge of the ourt efore or * !hi$h the$on0i$tion !as had or $onfir1ed" to state his opinionas to !hether the app%i$ation shou%d e granted orrefused" together !ith his reasons for su$h opinion and

a%so to for!ard !ith the state1ent of su$h opinion a$ertified $op* of the re$ord of the tria% or of su$hre$ord thereof as eAists.

() If an* $ondition on !hi$h a senten$e has eensuspended or re1itted is" in the opinion of theappropriate /o0ern1ent" not fu%fi%%ed" the appropriate/o0ern1ent 1a* $an$e% the suspension or re1ission"and thereupon the person in !hose fa0our thesenten$e has een suspended or re1itted 1a*" if at

%arge" e arrested * an* po%i$e offi$er" !ithout!arrant and re1anded to undergo the uneApiredportion of the senten$e.

() The $ondition on !hi$h a senten$e is suspended orre1itted under this se$tion 1a* e one to e fu%fi%%ed* the person in !hose fa0our the senten$e issuspended or re1itted" or one independent of his !i%%.

(9) The appropriate /o0ern1ent 1a*" * genera% ru%esor spe$ia% orders" gi0e dire$tions as to the suspensionof senten$es and the $onditions on !hi$h petitionsshou%d e presented and dea%t !ithC

Pro0ided that in the $ase of an* senten$e (other than asenten$e of fine) passed on a 1a%e person ao0e theage of eighteen *ears" no su$h petition * the personsenten$ed or * an* other person on his eha%f sha%% eentertained" un%ess the person senten$ed is in 5ai%" and"

D

5



(a) !here su$h petition is 1ade * the personsenten$ed" it is presented through the offi$er in $hargeof the 5ai%E or

() !here su$h petition is 1ade * an* other person" it$ontains a de$%aration that the person senten$ed is in 5ai%.

(:) The pro0isions of the ao0e su3se$tions sha%% a%soapp%* to an* order passed * a ri1ina% ourt underan* se$tion of this ode or of an* other %a! !hi$hrestri$ts the %iert* of an* person or i1poses an*%iai%it* upon hi1 or his proper%*.

(4) In this se$tion and in se$tion " the eApressionFappropriate /o0ern1entF 1eans"D

(a) in $ases !here the senten$e is for an offen$eagainst" or the order referred to in su3se$tion (:) ispassed under" an* %a! re%ating to a 1atter to !hi$h theeAe$uti0e po!er of the Union eAtends" the entra%/o0ern1entE

() in other $ases the /o0ern1ent of the State !ithin!hi$h the offender is senten$ed or the said order ispassed.

45 / S"!"* G+&*,'*," "+ !" !"* +,$-"!"%+,%"# C*,"!- G+&*,'*," %, *"!%, !$*$

() The po!ers $onferred * se$tions ' and upon the State /o0ern1ent to re1it or $o11ute asenten$e" in an* $ase !here the senten$e is for anoffen$eD

(a) !hi$h !as in0estigated * the ;e%hi Spe$ia% Po%i$e8sta%ish1ent $onstituted under the ;e%hi Spe$ia%Po%i$e 8sta%ish1ent #$t" ,: ('9 of ,:)" or * an*other agen$* e1po!ered to 1a=e in0estigation into anoffen$e under an* entra% #$t other than this ode" or

() !hi$h in0o%0ed the 1isappropriation or destru$tionof" or da1age to" an* propert* e%onging to the

entra% /o0ern1ent" or

6



($) !hi$h !as $o11itted * a person in the ser0i$e ofthe entra% /o0ern1ent" !hi%e a$ting or purporting toa$t in the dis$harge of his offi$ia% dut*.

sha%% not e eAer$ised * the State /o0ern1ent eA$eptafter $onsu%tation !ith the entra% /o0ern1ent.

(') 2o order of suspension" re1ission or $o11utationof senten$es passed * the State /o0ern1ent inre%ation to a person" !ho has een $on0i$ted ofoffen$es" so1e of !hi$h re%ate to 1atters to !hi$h theeAe$uti0e po!er of the Union eAtends" and !ho haseen senten$ed to separate ter1s of i1prison1ent!hi$h are to run $on$urrent%*" sha%% ha0e effe$t un%ess

an order for the suspension" re1ission or $o11utation"as the $ase 1a* e" of su$h senten$es has a%so een1ade * the entra% /o0ern1ent in re%ation to theoffen$es $o11itted * su$h person !ith regard to1atters to !hi$h the eAe$uti0e po!er of the UnioneAtends.

:) In addition to the ao0e pro0isions of the ode" !e

are $on$erned !ith $ertain pro0isions of the onstitution

of India a%so. #rti$%e 4 spea=s aout the eAtent of

eAe$uti0e po!er of the Union" !hi$h reads as underC

? / E9"*," + *9*"%&* 7+* + "#* U,%+,

() Su5e$t to the pro0isions of this onstitution" theeAe$uti0e po!er of the Union sha%% eAtend33

(a) to the 1atters !ith respe$t to !hi$h Par%ia1ent haspo!er to 1a=e %a!sE and

() to the eAer$ise of su$h rights" authorit* and 5urisdi$tion as are eAer$isa%e * the /o0ern1ent ofIndia * 0irtue of an* treat* on agree1entC

Pro0ided that the eAe$uti0e po!er referred to in su3

$%ause (a) sha%% not" sa0e as eApress%* pro0ided in thisonstitution or in an* %a! 1ade * Par%ia1ent" eAtend

7



in an* State to 1atters !ith respe$t to !hi$h the7egis%ature of the State has a%so po!er to 1a=e%a!sG.

4) #rti$%e :' of the onstitution dea%s !ith the eAtent

of eAe$uti0e po!er of the State" !hi$h reads as fo%%o!sC

?162 / E9"*," + *9*"%&* 7+* + S"!"*Su5e$t to the pro0isions of this onstitution" theeAe$uti0e po!er of a State sha%% eAtend to the 1atters!ith respe$t to !hi$h the 7egis%ature of the State haspo!er to 1a=e %a!sCPro0ided that in an* 1atter !ith respe$t to !hi$h the

7egis%ature of a State and Par%ia1ent ha0e po!er to1a=e %a!s" the eAe$uti0e po!er of the State sha%% esu5e$t to" and %i1ited *" the eAe$uti0e po!ereApress%* $onferred * the onstitution or * an* %a!1ade * Par%ia1ent upon the Union or authoritiesthereof.

6) Heard Mr. /oo%a1 8. Vahan0ati" %earned #ttorne*

/enera% of India for the petitioner3Union of India" Mr. Ra1

>eth1a%ani" %earned senior $ounse% and Mr. ug Mohit

houdhar*" %earned $ounse% for Respondent 2os. 39 and

4 in W.P. (r%.) 2o. 6 of '- and Mr. San5a* R. Hegde"

%earned $ounse% for the petitioner in W.P. (r%.) 2o. -9 of

'--6 and Respondent 2o. : in W.P. (r%.) 2o. 6 of '-

and Mr. Ra=esh ;!i0edi" %earned senior $ounse% for the

State of Ta1i% 2adu.

C+,"*,"%+,$ + "#* P*"%"%+,*

,) #t the outset" %earned #ttorne* /enera% appearing

8



for the Union of India su1itted that !hat is proposed to

e done * the State of Ta1i% 2adu in eAer$ise of po!er of

re1ission in the present $ase is i%%ega% and !ithout

5urisdi$tion for the fo%%o!ing reasonsC

a) The State /o0ern1ent is not the appropriate

/o0ern1entJ in the present $ase.

) The State /o0ern1ent had no ro%e to p%a* in the

present $ase at an* stage.

$) #%ternati0e%*" !ithout pre5udi$e" the proposa% * the

State /o0ern1ent is $ontrar* to %a!" and does not fo%%o!

the pro$edure set out under the ode.

-) 7earned #ttorne* /enera% pointed out that fro1 a

are reading of the definition of ?appropriate

/o0ern1ent under Se$tion '(4) of the ode re0ea%s

that in $ases !here the senten$e is for an offen$e against

an* %a! re%ating to a 1atter to !hi$h the eAe$uti0e po!er

of the Union eAtends" the ?appropriate /o0ern1ent in

that respe$t !ou%d e the entra% /o0ern1ent. It is the

stand of the Union of India that this pro0ision $%ear%* gi0es

pri1a$* to the eAe$uti0e po!er of the Union and eA$%udes

9



the eAe$uti0e po!er of the State !here the po!er of the

Union is $o3eAtensi0e.

) It is further pointed out that as per the pro0iso to

#rti$%e 4" the eAe$uti0e po!er of the Union referred to in

#rti$%e 4()(a) sha%% not" sa0e as eApress%* pro0ided in

the onstitution or in an* %a! 1ade * the Par%ia1ent"

eAtend in an* State to 1atters !ith respe$t to !hi$h the

7egis%ature of the State a%so has po!er to 1a=e %a!s. It is

argued that the pro0iso to #rti$%e 4 is eA$%uded *

Se$tion '(4) of the ode as it is on%* app%i$a%e !here

there is no eApress pro0ision to 1aintain the eAe$uti0e

po!er of the Union. Si1i%ar%*" pro0iso to #rti$%e :' of the

onstitution %i1its the eAe$uti0e po!er of the State !ith

respe$t to an* 1atter !here oth the 7egis%ature of the

State and the Par%ia1ent ha0e po!er to 1a=e %a!s" !here

the onstitution or an* %a! has eApress%* $onferred

eAe$uti0e po!er upon the Union. Thus" it !as su1itted

that the pro0iso $onte1p%ates that the eAe$uti0e po!er of

the State 1a* e o0er$o1e * the eAe$uti0e po!er of the

Union through the pro0isions of the onstitution or an*

other %a! 1ade * the Par%ia1ent. The ode is" therefore"

10



one a0enue through !hi$h this 1a* e done and has

een eAer$ised through Se$tion '(4) to gi0e pri1a$* to

the eAe$uti0e po!er of the Union. 7earned #ttorne*

/enera% further su1itted that ased on a reading of

#rti$%es 4 and :' read !ith Se$tion '(4) of the ode"

the ?appropriate /o0ern1ent in the present $ase !ou%d

e the entra% /o0ern1ent" as the Indian Pena% ode fa%%s

under the $on$urrent 7ist" to !hi$h the eAe$uti0e po!er of

the Union a%so eAtends.

') 7earned #ttorne* /enera% further pointed out that

#rti$%es 4 and :' 1ust a%so e read su5e$t to #rti$%e

'9 of the onstitution" !hi$h gi0es pri1a$* to the %a!

1ade * the Par%ia1ent. In this regard" re%ian$e has een

p%a$ed * %earned #ttorne* /enera% on the de$ision of this

ourt in S.R. Bommai 0s. Union of India" (,,) S

and he asserted that the ao0e de$ision $o1p%ete%*

disp%a$es the stand of the State /o0ern1ent !ith regard

to the on$urrent 7ist. Burther" it !as su1itted that it is

not possi%e to sp%it up the Se$tions under !hi$h the

$on0i$tion !as 1ade sin$e it !ou%d %ead to a $o1p%ete%*

asurd situation !here for so1e offen$es the entra%

11



/o0ern1ent !ou%d e the appropriate /o0ern1ent" and

in respe$t of others" the State /o0ern1ent !ou%d e the

appropriate /o0ern1ent.

) In an* $ase" it is the stand of the Union of India that

sin$e the State /o0ern1ent had $onsented for the $ase to

e in0estigated and prose$uted * the <I via the $onsent

order dated ''.-9.,, under Se$tion : of the ;e%hi

Spe$ia% Po%i$e 8sta%ish1ent #$t" ,:" !hi$h !as

fo%%o!ed * the entra% /o0ern1ent 2otifi$ation dated

'.-9.,," ensuing !hi$h the entire in0estigation of the

$ase !as handed o0er to the <I" at this stage" the State

$annot $%ai1 that it is the appropriate /o0ern1ent. In

this regard" the Union of India re%ied on the oser0ations

of this ourt in the $ase of Lalu Prasad Yada 0s. S!a!"

of Bihar " ('--) 9 S .

) <esides" the Union of India further su1itted that the

State /o0ern1ent" !ithout $onsidering the 1erits and

fa$ts of the $ase" hasti%* too= a de$ision to re1it the

senten$e and re%ease se0en $on0i$ts !hi$h is $ontrar* to

the statutor* pro0isions and a%so to the %a! %aid do!n *

this ourt. It is pointed out that app%i$ation of 1ind has

12



een he%d to e ne$essar*" !hi$h is entire%* %a$=ing in the

present $ase. There are no $ogent reasons gi0en in the

%etter dated ,.-'.'-" apart fro1 the re%ian$e on the

5udg1ent of this ourt.

9) In addition" it is the stand of the Union of India that

the State /o0ern1ent $ou%d not ha0e suo motu" !ithout

an app%i$ation" initiated the pro$ess of re1itting the

senten$e and re%easing the $on0i$ts. In this regard" the

Union of India re%ied on the de$ision of this ourt in

Mohind"r Singh 0s. S!a!" of Pun#a$" ('-) S ',

!herein this ourt he%d that the eAer$ise of po!er under

Se$tion '() of the ode $annot e suo motu. It !as

further he%d as underC

?'4. G G. We are of the 0ie! that eAer$ise of po!er* the appropriate /o0ern1ent under su3se$tion ()of Se$tion ' of the ode $annot e suo 1otu for thesi1p%e reason that this is on%* an ena%ing pro0isionand the sa1e !ou%d e possi%e su5e$t to fu%fi%1ent of$ertain $onditions. Those $onditions are 1entionedeither in the >ai% Manua% or in statutor* ru%es. This ourtin 0arious de$isions has he%d that the po!er ofre1ission $annot e eAer$ised aritrari%*. In other!ords" the de$ision to grant re1ission has to e !e%%infor1ed" reasona%e and fair to a%% $on$ernedG.. ?

Thus" it !as su1itted that the %a! %aid do!n in para '4 of

Mohind"r Singh (supra) $annot e side%ined * the

State /o0ern1ent.

13



:) #%ternati0e%*" it is su1itted that assu1ing Se$tion

9(') of the ode is app%i$a%e" the use of the ter1

$onsu%tationJ under Se$tion 9() of the ode shou%d e

interpreted to 1ean $on$urren$eJ. Referen$e in this

regard is 1ade to the 5udg1ent of this ourt in S!a!" of

%u#ara! 0s. R.. M"h!a" ('-) S " !herein it !as

he%d as underC

?'. Ho!e0er" in a situation !here one of the$onsu%tees has pri1a$* of opinion under the statute"either spe$ifi$a%%* $ontained in a statutor* pro0ision" or* !a* of i1p%i$ation" $onsu%tation 1a* 1ean$on$urren$e.

4) In addition to a%% the ao0e su1issions" %earned

#ttorne* /enera% for1u%ated an a%ternati0e $ontention

and su1itted that on$e the death senten$e of a $on0i$t

has een $o11uted into %ife i1prison1ent" the sa1e has

to e interpreted to 1ean the entire %ife of the $on0i$t and

the eAe$uti0e $annot eAer$ise the po!er of re1ission of

senten$e thereafter. In this regard" re%ian$e !as p%a$ed

on S'am Shraddananda 0s. S!a!" of arna!a*a"

('--6) S 4:4.

C+,"*,"%+,$ + R*$7+,*,"$

6) In rep%* to the ao0e su1issions" Mr. Ra=esh

14



;!i0edi" %earned senior $ounse% for the State of Ta1i%

2adu su1itted that ?appropriate /o0ern1ent as

defined in Se$tion '(4) of the ode is the State

/o0ern1ent in the present $ase.

,) 7earned senior $ounse% for the State su1itted that

the entra% /o0ern1ent is the appropriate /o0ern1ent

!here senten$e is for an offen$e against an* %a! re%ating

to a 1atter to !hi$h the eAe$uti0e po!er of the Union

eAtends. 7i=e!ise" #rti$%e 4 of the onstitution of India

1a=es eAe$uti0e po!er of the Union $o3eAtensi0e !ith

Par%ia1entJs %a! 1a=ing po!er and po!er re%ating to

treatiesKagree1ent. Ho!e0er" it is the stand of the State

that the pro0iso stipu%ates that po!er referred to in su3

$%ause (a) !ou%d not eAtend in an* State to 1atters

re%ating to the on$urrent 7ist of the se0enth S$hedu%e of

the onstitution sa0e !here the onstitution or %a! of

Par%ia1ent eApress%* pro0ides. This interpretation of the

pro0iso to #rti$%e 4 $orresponds !ith the reading of the

pro0iso to #rti$%e :'. It is the stand of the State of Ta1i%

2adu that Se$tion of the ode is one su$h pro0ision

ut it 1a=es the entra% /o0ern1entJs po!er in $ases of

15



senten$e of death $on$urrent and not do1inant. There is

no other pro0ision in Se$tion 8J of hapter LLLII or

other!ise of the ode !hi$h suordinates the eAe$uti0e

po!er of the State in the on$urrent fie%d of %egis%ation to

the eAe$uti0e po!er of the Union in 1atters of re1ission"

$o11utation" pardons et$.

'-) 7earned senior $ounse% for the State pointed out that

#rti$%e 4'() of the onstitution eApress%* sa0es the po!er

of the States under #rti$%e : and other %a!s to grant

re1ission or $o11utation of senten$e of death fro1 the

i1pa$t of #rti$%e 4'()($) !hi$h $onfers po!er on the

President qua a%% senten$es of death. On a p%ain reading

of the eAe$uti0e po!er of the State under #rti$%e :'" the

sa1e eing $o3eAtensi0e !ith the %egis%ati0e po!er !ou%d

eAtend to the $on$urrent fie%d under 7ist III.

') #%ternati0e%*" Mr. ;!i0edi su1itted that 8ntr* of

7ist III of the Se0enth S$hedu%e of the onstitution

eA$%udes offen$es against %a! !ith respe$t to 1atters in

7ist I and 7ist II. Indian Pena% ode is 1entioned in 8ntr*

of 7ist III. IP in0o%0es offen$es !hi$h re%ate to different

su5e$t 1atters" so1e of !hi$h fa%% in 7ist I and 7ist II. Mr.

16



;!i0edi su1itted that in %.V. Ramanaiah 0s. Sup!. Of

+"n!ral ,ail " (,4) S 9" sin$e the su5e$t 1atter

!as re%ated to 7ist I" the entra% /o0ern1ent !as he%d to

e appropriate /o0ern1ent. Ho!e0er" he high%ighted

that in S!a!" of M.P. 0s. Ra!an Singh- (,4:) S 4-

(paras 9 & :)" S!a!" of M.P. 0s. #i! Singh" (,4:) S

:: (para ') and %o"rnm"n! of .P. 0s. M.. han"

('--) S :: (para -)" it !as he%d that the

appropriate /o0ern1ent is the /o0ern1ent of that State

a%one !here the $on0i$tion too= p%a$e and not !here the

$on0i$t is detained.

'') 7earned senior $ounse% for the State a%so pointed out

that !hi%e Se$tion 99#() of IP 1a=es the State

/o0ern1ent the appropriate /o0ern1ent re%ating to

1atter to !hi$h eAe$uti0e po!er of the State eAtends" it is

the /o0ern1ent of that State !ithin !hi$h the offender is

senten$ed and under Se$tion '(4)() of the ode in

$ases other than those 1entioned in $%ause (a)" the State

/o0ern1ent is the appropriate /o0ern1ent. Ho!e0er"

Se$tion '(4)() of the ode is !ider than Se$tion 99#()

of IP. It !ou%d $o0er 1atters in 7ist III of the Se0enth

17



S$hedu%e of the onstitution too. Se$tion 9(') of the

ode a%so is indi$ati0e of the ao0e. In a $ase %i=e the

present one" so1e offen$es 1a* re%ate to 1atters to

!hi$h the eAe$uti0e po!er of the Union eAtends" !hi%e

other offen$es 1a*" in the sa1e $ase and qua sa1e

person" re%ate to 1atters to !hi$h the eAe$uti0e po!er of

the State eAtends. If in su$h $ases" a person has een

senten$ed to separate ter1s of i1prison1ent !hi$h are

to run $on$urrent%*" then un%ess an order has een 1ade

* the entra% /o0ern1ent in re%ation to offen$es to

!hi$h its eAe$uti0e po!er eAtends" the order of the State

/o0ern1ent !ou%d not e gi0en effe$t to. The Union

$ou%d ha0e referred to this pro0ision if the separate ter1s

of senten$es under the other entra% #$ts %i=e Passport

#$t" Boreigners #$t" 8Ap%osi0es #$t et$. !ere sti%%

operating and the senten$es had not een a%read* ser0ed

out. 7earned senior $ounse% for the State su1itted that

in the present $ase" a%% other senten$es of '3 *ears ha0e

een fu%%* ser0ed out.

') It is further su1itted * Mr. ;!i0edi that pu%i$

safet* is part of pu%i$ order genera%%* un%ess it has the

18



di1ension of ;efen$e of India or 2ationa% Se$urit* or War.

It is fo%%o!ed fro1 the de$ision in Rom"sh hapar 0s.

S!a!" of Madras #IR ,9- S ' (para 9) that the State

/o0ern1ent of Ta1i% 2adu is the appropriate /o0ern1ent

to $onsider re1issionK$o11utation of senten$e under

Se$tion -' read !ith Se$tion '-< of IP.

') #s regards the 0io%ation of pro$edura% re+uire1ents

under Se$tion '(')" %earned senior $ounse% for the State

su1itted that it in0o%0es a pro$edure !hi$h app%ies on%*

to re1ission and suspension of senten$e and not to $ases

of $o11utation as under Se$tion . <esides" he

asserted that Se$tion '(') is app%i$a%e on%* !hen an

app%i$ation is 1o0ed on eha%f of the $on0i$t for otaining

re1ission or suspension of senten$e. It does not app%*

!hen the appropriate /o0ern1ent eAer$ises suo motu

po!er. It !as further su1itted that the Par%ia1ent has

thought it fit to $onfine app%i$ation of Se$tion '(') to

$ases !here an app%i$ation is 1ade e$ause in su$h $ases

the State has not app%ied its 1ind and it 1a* %i=e to

otain the opinion of the Presiding >udge of the ourt

!hi$h $on0i$ted and senten$ed or the $onfir1ing $ourt.

19



Hen$e" it is the stand of the State that the po!er under

Se$tion '() is 0er* !ide and it $an e eAer$ised suo

motu * the appropriate /o0ern1ent. When the po!er is

eAer$ised suo motu then Se$tion '(') is not app%i$a%e.

'9) #%ternati0e%*" Mr. ;!i0edi su1itted that Se$tion

'(') is not 1andator*. He e%aorated that it uses the

eApression ?1a* re+uire. Ordinari%*" this eApression

in0o%0es $onfer1ent of dis$retion and 1a=es the pro0ision

dire$tor*. This pro$edure" therefore" !ou%d app%* !here

the /o0ern1ent fee%s the ne$essit* to re+uire an opinion

fro1 the Presiding >udge of the ourt.

':) #s far as the $o1p%ian$e of Se$tion 9 is $on$erned"

it is the stand of the State of Ta1i% 2adu that it initiated

the pro$ess of $onsu%tation !ith the entra% /o0ern1ent

through the i1pugned %etter as the in0estigation of the

gi0en $ase !as done * the <I. It is further su1itted

that it is $onsu%tation et!een t!o p%enar* /o0ern1ents

$onstituted under a Bedera% stru$ture and the State of

Ta1i% 2adu intends to engage in 1eaningfu% and effe$ti0e

$onsu%tation !herein the 0ie!s eApressed * the entra%

/o0ern1ent during the $onsu%tation pro$ess !i%% $ertain%*

20



e gi0en due $onsideration. Ho!e0er" it is the stand of

the State that $onsu%tation does not 1ean $on$urren$e

sin$e the po!er of the State is a p%enar* po!er and States

are not suordinate to the entra% /o0ern1ent.

'4) Thus" Mr. ;!i0edi $on$%uded * stating that the

eApression used in Se$tion 9() is ?eA$ept after

$onsu%tation. The Par%ia1ent has de%ierate%* not $hosen

the !ord ?$on$urren$e as su$h interpretation !ou%d

a1ount to depri0ing the State /o0ern1ent of its

dis$retion. He pointed out the fo%%o!ing $ases !herein it

has een he%d that $onsu%tation does not 1ean

$on$urren$eC

/. S!a!" of U.P. 0s. Ra*"sh umar "shari " ('-) 9S (para )

0. L & M12"il L!d. 0s. %o"rnm"n! of amil 2adu'--() S 4- (paras " :)

3. S!a!" of U.P. & nr. 0s. ,ohri Mal " '--() S4 (para 99)

4. ,us!i1" +handrash"*araiah s. ,an"*"r" +.rishna- ('-) S 4 (paras 36" " 9399).

'6) With regard to the $ontention of the Union of India

that on$e the po!er of $o11utationKre1ission has een

21



eAer$ised in a parti$u%ar $ase of a $on0i$t * a

onstitutiona% foru1 parti$u%ar%*" this ourt" then there

$annot e a further eAer$ise of the 8Ae$uti0e Po!er for

the purpose of $o11utingKre1itting the senten$e of the

said $on0i$t in the sa1e $ase" Mr. ;!i0edi su1itted that

the said $ontention is una$$epta%e sin$e in this $ase this

ourt had eAer$ised the 5udi$ia% po!er of $o11uting the

death senten$e into %ife i1prison1ent * 5udg1ent dated

6.-'.'-. This ourt !as not eAer$ising an* eAe$uti0e

po!er under the onstitution or under the ode. It !as

eAer$ising its 5udi$ia% po!er in the $onteAt of rea$h of

#rti$%e '. There is no prin$ip%e of %a! put for!ard to

support this su1ission and the $ontention has een

f%oated as if it is an aAio1. The su1ission of the Union of

India" if a$$epted" !ou%d ha0e horrendous $onse+uen$es.

# $on0i$t !hose death senten$e has een $o11uted to

%ife i1prison1ent * this ourt on a$$ount of rea$h of

#rti$%e ' !ou%d ha0e to re1ain i1prisoned ne$essari%* ti%%

the end of his %ife e0en if he has ser0ed out -39- *ears of

senten$e and has e$o1e o%d e*ond 49 *ears or 1a* e

ter1ina%%* i%% *et there !ou%d e no po!er to

22



re1itK$o11ute.

',) <esides" it is the stand of the State that !hen this

ourt $o11uted the death senten$e into %ife

i1prison1ent" it did not ar and o%t an* further eAer$ise

of $o11utationKre1ission po!er * the 8Ae$uti0e under

the onstitution or under the ode. In fa$t" it eApress%*

en0isaged suse+uent eAer$ise of re1ission po!er * the

appropriate /o0ern1ent under Se$tion ' su5e$t to

pro$edura% $he$=s and Se$tion # of the ode.

-) Mr. ;!i0edi" further pointed out that e0en in the

asen$e of su$h an oser0ation in para of the de$ision

of this ourt in V. Sriharan @ Murugan (supra) the

%ega% position !ou%d re1ain the sa1e as this ourt does

not pre0ent the eAer$ise of an* a0ai%a%e po!er under the

onstitution and the statute. In fa$t it has een %aid do!n

in Supr"m" +our! Bar sso1ia!ion 0s. UOI" (,,6)

S -, and Manohar Lal Sharma 0s. Prin1ipal

S"1r"!ar " ('-) ' S 9' that e0en the po!er under

#rti$%e ' $annot e eAer$ised against the statute 1u$h

%ess the onstitution. Hen$e" a$$ording to hi1" the State

/o0ern1ent is the appropriate /o0ern1ent.

23



) Mr. Ra1 >eth1a%ani" %earned senior $ounse% for

Respondent 2os. to 9 and 4 adopted si1i%ar argu1ents

and e1phasied on the 1eaning of $onsu%tation. He

eAtensi0e%* referred to Birst >udgesJ $ase" 0i." S.P. %up!a

0s. Union of India" (,6) Supp S 64 (a se0en35udge

en$h 5udg1ent) and hea0i%* re%ied on para - of the

5udg1entC

?-. G G. <ut" !hi%e gi0ing the fu%%est 1eaning andeffe$t to ?$onsu%tation" it 1ust e orne in 1ind thatit is on%* $onsu%tation !hi$h is pro0ided * !a* offetter upon the po!er of appoint1ent 0ested in theentra% /o0ern1ent and $onsu%tation $annot ee+uated !ith $on$urren$e. We agree !ith !hatNrishna I*er" >. said in San=a%$hand Sheth $ase (Unionof India 0s. San=a%$hand Hi11at%a% Sheth" (,44) S , C ,44 S (7&S) 9E (,46) SR ' C #IR

,44 ''6) that ?$onsu%tation is different fro1$onsentaneit*.

#$$ording to hi1" $onsu%tation does not 1ean

$on$urren$e though the pro$ess of $onsu%tation in0o%0es

$onsideration of oth 3 the entit* see=ing $onsu%tation and

the $onsu%tee of the sa1e. He further pointed out that the

do1inant o5e$t of the statute $oup%ed !ith use of

$o1pe%%ing !ords 1a* in so1e $ases in0o%0e a different

1eaning. #s" for eAa1p%e" it happened in the Supr"m"

+our! do1a!"s5on5R"1ord sso1ia!ion 0s. Union of

India" (,,) S " a%so =no!n as the 'nd >udgesJ

24



ase. In this 5udg1ent" on the fa$ts and the %anguage

used as !e%% as on $onsideration of the $ontro%%ing #rti$%e

9- of the onstitution 1andating the separation of the

5udi$iar* fro1 the eAe$uti0e" this ourt he%d that in the

pro$ess of $onsu%tation" the opinion of the hief >usti$e

has pri1a$*. 2o su$h $o1pe%%ing $onteAt %eading to

departure fro1 the natura% 1eaning of the !ord

$onsu%tationJ eAists in Se$tion 9() of the ode. In the

ao0e31entioned $ase" the fo%%o!ing 1a* e $onsidered

as the ratioC

:48. The deate on pri1a$* is intended to deter1ine!ho a1ongst the $onstitutiona% fun$tionaries in0o%0ed

in the integrated pro$ess of appoint1ents is este+uipped to dis$harge the greater urden atta$hed tothe ro%e of pri1a$*" of 1a=ing the proper $hoi$eE andthis deate is not to deter1ine !ho et!een the1 isentit%ed to greater i1portan$e or is to ta=e the!innerJs prie at the end of the deate. The tas=efore us has to e perfor1ed !ith this per$eption.

441. Bor this reason" it 1ust e seen !ho is este+uipped and %i=e%* to e 1ore $orre$t in his 0ie! for

a$hie0ing the purpose and perfor1ing the tas=satisfa$tori%*. In other !ords" pri1a$* shou%d e in hi1!ho +ua%ifies to e treated as the eApertJ in the fie%d.o1parati0e%* greater !eight to his opinion 1a* thene atta$hed.

') It is the su1ission of %earned senior $ounse% that

e0en fro1 this perspe$ti0e" the 0ie! of the State

/o0ern1ent on a +uestion of re1ission !hi$h in0o%0es

25



=no!%edge of the prisonerJs $ondu$t !hi%st in 5ai%" his

usefu%ness to $o3prisoners needing his he%p and

assistan$e" the 1anner in !hi$h he has e1p%o*ed his ti1e

in 5ai%" his ps*$hiatri$ $ondition" and fa1i%* $onne$tions

are 1ore =no!n to the State /o0ern1ent rather than the

Union /o0ern1ent. These $ir$u1stan$es $on$%usi0e%* $a%%

for pri1a$* to the finding and de$isionKopinion of the

State /o0ern1ent.

) In support of his $%ai1 that grant of re1ission is a

State su5e$t" Mr. >eth1a%ani re%ied on 8ntr* of 7ist II"

State 7ist" !hi$h reads as underC

?Prisons" refor1atories" orsta% institutions and otherinstitutions of a %i=e nature" and persons detainedthereinE arrange1ents !ith other states for the use ofprisons and other institutions.

Se$tion 9, of the Prisons #$t" 6, spe$ifi$a%%* e1po!ers

the State /o0ern1ent to 1a=e ru%es on the fo%%o!ingC

?(9) Bor the a!ard of 1ar=s and shortening of senten$esE

(') Bor re!ards for good $ondu$tE G

('4) In regard to the ad1ission" $ustod*" e1p%o*1ent"dieting" treat1ent and re%ease of prisoners.

This $%ear%* sho!s that granting of re1ission for good

$ondu$t and deter1ination of pre1ature re%ease is

26



eA$%usi0e%* !ithin the do1ain of the State /o0ern1ent

and fa%%s s+uare%* !ithin 8ntr* " 7ist II.

) Mr. >eth1a%ani further e%aorated that the

$orre$tness of the $%osing paragraph of 5udg1ent dated

6.-'.'- is further e0iden$ed * the fa$t that a

onstitution <en$h of this ourt in Bhagira!h 0s. 6"lhi

dminis!ra!ion" (,69) ' S 96- para 4 had

e1p%o*ed the sa1e for1u%ation in its $%osing paragraph

!hi%e disposing of the petition see=ing the enefit of

Se$tion '6 of the ode for %ife $on0i$ts. The ourt had

stated as fo%%o!sC3

?4. Bor these reasons" !e a%%o! the appea% and the!rit petition and dire$t that the period of detentionundergone * the t!o a$$used efore us as undertria%prisoners sha%% e set off against the senten$e of %ifei1prison1ent i1posed upon the1 su5e$t to thepro0ision $ontained in Se$tion # and pro0ided thatorders ha0e een passed * the appropriate authorit*under Se$tion ' or of the r.P. (e1phasisadded)

9) Mr. >eth1a%ani has a%so pressed into ser0i$e the

re0ised /uide%ines on Re1ission * the 2ationa% Hu1an

Rights o11ission !hi$h reads as underC3

:4. I,!;%-%"< + P*'!"* R*-*!$*

;e%eted in 0ie! of ne! para .

27



2e! para in the re0ised guide%ines is as fo%%o!sC

?. GSe$tion (#) ena$ted to den* pre31aturere%ease efore $o1p%etion of *ears of a$tua%

in$ar$eration to su$h $on0i$ts as stand $on0i$ted of a$apita% offen$e. The $o11ission is of the 0ie! that!ithin this $ategor* a reasona%e $%assifi$ation $an e1ade on the asis of the 1agnitude" ruta%it* and thegra0it* of offen$e for !hi$h the $on0i$t !as senten$edto %ife i1prison1ent. C*"!%, !"*3+%*$ ++,&%"* 7%$+,*$ ,*3+%,3 -%* $*,"*,*+- ;* *,"%"-* "+ ;* +,$%** + 7*/'!"* *-*!$* +,-< !"* ,*3+%,3%'7%$+,'*," + 20 <*!$ %,-%,3 *'%$$%+,$. The period of in$ar$eration in$%usi0e of re1issions insu$h $ases shou%d not eA$eed '9 *ears. Bo%%o!ing$ategories are 1entioned in this $onne$tion * !a* ofi%%ustration and are not to e ta=en as an eAhausti0e%ist of su$h $ategories.

a. on0i$ts !ho ha0e een i1prisoned for %ife for1urder in heinous $ases su$h as 1urder !ith rape"1urder !ith da$oit*" 1urder in0o%0ing an offen$eunder the Prote$tion of i0i% Rights #$t" ,99" 1urderfor do!r*" 1urder of a $hi%d e%o! *ears of age"

1u%tip%e 1urders" 1urder $o11itted after $on0i$tion!hi%e inside the 5ai%" 1urder during paro%e" 1urder in aterrorist in$ident" 1urder in s1ugg%ing operation"1urder of a pu%i$ ser0ant on dut*.

. /angsters" $ontra$t =i%%ers" s1ugg%ers" drugtraffi$=ers" ra$=eteers a!arded %ife i1prison1ent for$o11itting 1urders as a%so the perpetrators of 1urder$o11itted !ith pre31editation and !ith eA$eptiona%0io%en$e or per0ersit*.

$. on0i$ts !hose death senten$e has een $o11utedto %ife i1prison1ent.

Bina%%*" he $on$%uded * asserting that the State

/o0ern1ent is the appropriate /o0ern1ent for granting

of re1ission. onse+uent%*" the proposa% for re%ease of

Respondent 2os. to 4 had een du%* $onsidered in

28



a$$ordan$e !ith %a!.

D%$$$%+,

:) We ha0e $arefu%%* $onsidered the ri0a% $ontentions"

eAa1ined the re%e0ant onstitutiona% pro0isions a%ongside

the apposite pro0isions in the ode. The issues raised in

this $ase re0o%0e around the eAer$ise of po!er of

re1ission * the appropriate /o0ern1ent. The

$o11utation of death pena%t* to %ife i1prison1ent $an

efa%% at t!o stagesC first%*" !hen the appe%%ate ourt

dee1s it fit to $o11ute the death senten$e to %ife

i1prison1entE and se$ond%*" !hen the eAe$uti0e

eAer$ises its re1ission po!er under #rti$%e 4' * the

President or under #rti$%e : * the /o0ernor or under

#rti$%e ' * this ourt in its 5udi$ia% re0ie! 5urisdi$tion.

4) The pri1ar* +uestion that arises for $onsideration at

this 5un$ture is !hether in the first s$enario spe$ified

ao0e" the ourt has the po!er to sustitute the death

pena%t* for i1prison1ent for %ife (1eaning unti% end of

%ife) and put this $ategor* e*ond the app%i$ation of

re1ission. 7earned $ounse% for oth the petitioner and the

29



respondents su1itted di0ergent 0ie!s on this su5e$t

re%*ing on 5udi$ia% pre$edents of this ourt.

6) 7earned #ttorne* /enera% referred to the three3

>udges <en$h de$ision of this ourt in S'am

Shraddananda (supra) to state that %ife i1prison1ent

i1posed on $o11utation of death pena%t* !i%% 1ean ti%%

end of %ife and" thus" e*ond the eAer$ise of po!er of

re1ission. #$$ording%*" it is the stand of the Union of India

that Respondent 2os. to 4 $annot e granted re1ission

as it is done in the gi0en $ase.

,) In S'am Shraddananda (supra)" the $on0i$tion

of the appe%%ant S!a1* Shraddananda under Se$tions

-' and '- IP had attained fina%it*. The Tria% ourt

senten$ed hi1 to death for the offen$e of 1urder. The

appe%%antJs appea% and the referen$e 1ade * the

Sessions >udge !ere heard together * the Narnata=a

High ourt. The High ourt $onfir1ed the $on0i$tion and

the death senten$e a!arded to the appe%%ant and *

5udg1ent and order dated ,.-,.'--9 dis1issed the

appe%%antJs appea% and a$$epted the referen$e 1ade *

the Tria% ourt !ithout an* 1odifi$ation in the $on0i$tion

30



or senten$e. #gainst the High ourtJs 5udg1ent" the

appe%%ant had $o1e to this ourt. In 0ie! of $onf%i$ting

0ie!s * t!o >udges of this ourt" the 1atter !as referred

to three3>udgesJ <en$h. #fter $onsidering a%% fa$tua%

detai%s and 0arious ear%ier de$isions" this ourt he%d that

there is a good and strong asis for the ourt to sustitute

the death senten$e * %ife i1prison1ent and dire$ted that

the $on0i$t sha%% not e re%eased fro1 prison for the rest

of his %ife. Whi%e $onsidering the said issue" this ourt

ad0erted to 0arious de$isions granting re1ission redu$ing

the period of senten$e in those $ases in !hi$h %ife

senten$e !as a!arded in %ieu of death senten$e. This

ourt in paras , to , he%d as underC

?=1. The %ega% position as enun$iated in Pandit KishoriLal" Gopal Vinayak Godse" Maru Ram" Ratan Singh andShri Bhagwan and the unsound !a* in !hi$h re1issionis a$tua%%* a%%o!ed in $ases of %ife i1prison1ent 1a=eout a 0er* strong $ase to 1a=e a spe$ia% $ategor* for

the 0er* fe! $ases !here the death pena%t* 1ight esustituted * the punish1ent of i1prison1ent for %ifeor i1prison1ent for a ter1 in eA$ess of fourteen *earsand to put that $ategor* e*ond the app%i$ation ofre1ission.

=2. The 1atter 1a* e %oo=ed at fro1 a s%ight%*different ang%e. The issue of senten$ing has t!oaspe$ts. # senten$e 1a* e eA$essi0e and undu%*harsh or it may be highly disproportionatelyinadequate. When an appe%%ant $o1es to this ourt$arr*ing a death senten$e a!arded * the tria% $ourt

and $onfir1ed * the High ourt" this ourt 1a* find"as in the present appea%" that the $ase 5ust fa%%s short

31



of the rarest of the rare $ategor* and 1a* fee%so1e!hat re%u$tant in endorsing the death senten$e.<ut at the sa1e ti1e" ha0ing regard to the nature ofthe $ri1e" the ourt 1a* strong%* fee% that a senten$eof %ife i1prison1ent su5e$t to re1ission nor1a%%*

!or=s out to a ter1 of *ears !ou%d e gross%*disproportionate and inade+uate. What then shou%d theourt do If the ourtJs option is %i1ited on%* to t!opunish1ents" one a senten$e of i1prison1ent" for a%%intents and purposes" of not 1ore than *ears andthe other death" the ourt 1a* fee% te1pted and finditse%f nudged into endorsing the death pena%t*. Su$h a$ourse !ou%d indeed e disastrous. # far 1ore 5ust"reasona%e and proper $ourse !ou%d e to eApand theoptions and to ta=e o0er !hat" as a 1atter of fa$t"%a!fu%%* e%ongs to the ourt i.e. the 0ast hiatuset!een *earsJ i1prison1ent and death. It needs toe e1phasised that the ourt !ou%d ta=e re$ourse tothe eApanded option pri1ari%* e$ause in the fa$ts ofthe $ase" the senten$e of *earsJ i1prison1ent!ou%d a1ount to no punish1ent at a%%.

=. Burther" the for1a%isation of a spe$ia% $ategor* ofsenten$e" though for an eAtre1e%* fe! nu1er of$ases" sha%% ha0e the great ad0antage of ha0ing thedeath pena%t* on the statute oo= ut to a$tua%%* use itas %itt%e as possi%e" rea%%* in the rarest of rare $ases.

This !ou%d on%* e a reassertion of the onstitution<en$h de$ision in Bahan Singh esides eing ina$$ord !ith the 1odern trends in peno%og*.

-) Re%*ing on the aforesaid de$ision of the %arger <en$h"

%earned #ttorne* /enera% su1itted that it is perfe$t%*

%ega% to $o11ute the death pena%t* into i1prison1ent for

%ife (to 1ean the entire %ife of the $on0i$t) and depri0e of

re1ission in $ertain $ases. #s a $onse+uen$e" the

eAer$ise of po!er of re1ission under Se$tion ' of the

ode * the State of Ta1i% 2adu in the $ase of

Respondent 2os. to 4 is i1per1issi%e.

32



) Whereas it is the stand of %earned senior $ounse% for

the State that the authorit* to eAer$ise the po!er of

re1ission e0en in su$h spe$ia% $ategor* of $ases sti%% 0ests

!ith the appropriate /o0ern1ent" re%*ing on the

onstitution <en$h de$ision in Bhagira!h (supra)"

Mohind"r Singh (supra) and 0arious other $ase3%a!s.

Moreo0er" it !as asserted * %earned senior $ounse%

appearing for the State of Ta1i% 2adu that the statutor*

po!er of re1ission granted to the appropriate

/o0ern1ent under Se$tion ' of the ode $annot e

ta=en a!a* on%* in $ertain $ases * !a* of 5udi$ia%

pronoun$e1ent.

') Ha0ing gi0en our 1ost anAious $onsideration" !e are

of the opinion that it !i%% not e appropriate for a three

>udgesJ <en$h to eAa1ine and de$ide the $orre$tness of

the 0erdi$t of another three3>udgesJ <en$h in S'am

Shraddananda (supra). <esides" ine0itai%it* the

de$ision of the onstitution <en$h in Bhagira!h (supra)

!ou%d a%so e re+uired to e eAa1ined. Thus" !e dee1 it

fit to refer this 1atter to a fi0e >udgesJ <en$h to re$on$i%e

the dispute e1erged.

33



) The se$ond stage is !hen the eAe$uti0e eAer$ises its

re1ission po!er under #rti$%e 4' * the President or

under #rti$%e : * the /o0ernor or under #rti$%e ' *

this ourt in its 5udi$ia% re0ie! 5urisdi$tion and the

$o11utation of death pena%t* into %ife i1prison1ent is

per1itted. It is the stand of the petitioner" i.e." Union of

India that on$e death pena%t* is $o11uted into %ife

i1prison1ent * eAer$ise of eAe$uti0e po!er under

#rti$%e 4'K: of the onstitution or * the 5udi$ia% po!er

0ested * the onstitution in #rti$%e '" the $ategories are

e*ond the po!er of re1ission and para%%e% eAer$ise of the

si1i%ar po!er * the eAe$uti0e under the ode is

i1per1issi%e. Therefore" on this ground" the %earned

#ttorne* /enera% for the Union of India $ontended that

granting of re1ission to Respondent 2os. to & 4 is

untena%e in %a!. #%though" the #ttorne* /enera% hea0i%*

re%ied on this proposition to put forth his $ase ut did not

p%a$e an* sustantia% 1ateria% for eAa1ination * this

ourt.

) 7earned $ounse% for the State $ountered this

proposition of the petitioner * stating that there is no

34



1ateria% on re$ord to 0a%idate the sa1e" hen$e" re1ission

granted to Respondent 2o. 4 is 0a%id in %a!. It !as further

$ontended that the $o11utation of death senten$e into

%ife i1prison1ent in $ase of Respondent 2os. to *

this ourt !as not * eAer$ising an* eAe$uti0e po!er

under the onstitution or under the ode" ut it !as in

eAer$ise of its 5udi$ia% po!er in the $onteAt of rea$h of

#rti$%e '. In other !ords" a$$ording to hi1" e0en after

this ourt $o11uted the death senten$e to %ife

i1prison1ent" it did not ar and o%t an* further eAer$ise

of $o11utationKre1ission po!er * the eAe$uti0e under

the onstitution or under the ode.

9) The issue of su$h a nature has een raised for the

first ti1e in this ourt" !hi$h has !ide ra1ifi$ation in

deter1ining the s$ope of app%i$ation of po!er of

re1ission * the eAe$uti0es oth the entre and the

State. #$$ording%*" !e refer this 1atter to the onstitution

<en$h to de$ide the issue pertaining to !hether on$e

po!er of re1ission under #rti$%e 4' or : or * this ourt

eAer$ising onstitutiona% po!er under #rti$%e ' is

eAer$ised" is there an* s$ope for further $onsideration for

35



re1ission * the eAe$uti0e.

:) Inas1u$h as the issue vis !"! vis !ho is the

appropriate /o0ern1entJ under Se$tion '(4) of the

ode to eAer$ise the po!er of re1ission is $on$erned"

e%aorate argu1ents had een ad0an$ed * oth sides in

the $ourse of the pro$eedings and the parties raised 1ore

than one an$i%%ar* +uestions to the 1ain issue %i=e !hi$h

/o0ern1ent 3 the State or the entre !i%% ha0e pri1a$*

o0er the su5e$t 1atter en%isted in 7ist III of the Se0enth

S$hedu%e of the onstitution of India for eAer$ise of po!er

of re1ission. #nother +uestion !as a%so raised !hether

there $an e t!o appropriate /o0ern1ents in one $ase. In

addition" !hether the ter1 ?$onsu%tation 1eans

?$on$urren$e under Se$tion 9() of the ode. Sin$e

the +uestions in the gi0en $ase are $ontingent on the fina%

de$ision to e arri0ed at in the first issue" !e unani1ous%*

dee1 it appropriate that these issues e de$ided * the

onstitution <en$h. Moreo0er" $onsidering the !ider

interpretation of the pro0isions of the onstitution and the

ode in0o%0ed in the 1atter" !e $onsider it fit to refer the

1atter to the onstitution <en$h for an authoritati0e

36

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interpretation on the sa1e. In fa$t" su$h a $ourse of

a$tion is 1andated * the pro0isions of #rti$%e 9() of

the onstitution.

4) <efore fra1ing the +uestions to e de$ided * the

onstitution <en$h in Writ Petition (r%.) 2o. 6 of '-"

!e intend to dispose of other 1atters. Sin$e in Writ

Petition (r%.) 2o. -9 of '--6" the petitioner is one of the

respondents (Respondent 2o. :) in Writ Petition (r%.) 2o.

6 of '- and Mr. San5a* R. Hegde" %earned $ounse% for

the petitioner is not pressing the sa1e" the Writ Petition

(r%.) 2o. -9 of '--6 is dis1issed as not pressed.

7i=e!ise" there is no need to =eep the ri1ina% Mis$.

Petitions pending" as the Union of India fi%ed the

sustanti0e petition in the for1 of Writ Petition (r%.) 2o.

6 of '- gi0ing a%% the detai%s. #$$ording%*" r%. M.P.

2os. :''" :' and :' of '- in T..(r%.) 2os. " '

and of '-' respe$ti0e%* are dis1issed.

6) The fo%%o!ing +uestions are fra1ed for the

$onsideration of the onstitution <en$hC

(i) Whether i1prison1ent for %ife in ter1s of Se$tion 9

37



(i0) Whether the Union or the State has pri1a$* o0er the

su5e$t 1atter en%isted in 7ist III of Se0enth S$hedu%e

of the onstitution of India for eAer$ise of po!er of

re1ission

(0) Whether there $an e t!o appropriate /o0ern1ents

in a gi0en $ase under Se$tion '(4) of the ode

(0i) Whether suo motu eAer$ise of po!er of re1ission

under Se$tion '() is per1issi%e in the s$he1e of

the se$tion if" *es !hether the pro$edure pres$ried

in su3$%ause (') of the sa1e Se$tion is 1andator* or

not

(0ii) Whether the ter1 ?$onsu%tation stipu%ated in

Se$tion 9() of the ode i1p%ies ?$on$urren$e

,) #%% the issues raised in the gi0en $ase are of ut1ost

$riti$a% $on$ern for the !ho%e of the $ountr*" as the

de$ision on these issues !i%% deter1ine the pro$edure for

a!arding senten$es in the $ri1ina% 5usti$e s*ste1.

#$$ording%*" !e dire$t to %ist Writ Petition (r%.) 2o. 6 of

'- efore the onstitution <en$h as ear%* as possi%e

prefera%* !ithin a period of three 1onths.

39



9-) #%% the interi1 orders granted ear%ier !i%% $ontinue ti%%

fina% de$ision eing ta=ing * the onstitution <en$h in

Writ Petition (r%.) 2o.6 of '-.

G.GGGGGGGGGG>I.(P. SATHASI>AM)

G.GGGGGGGGGGG>.(RANJAN GOGOI)

GGGGGGGGGGGGG>.(N.>. RAMANA)

28W ;87HIE#PRI7 '9" '-

uoi v. sriharan

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