The Supreme Court on October 8, 2025, dismissed the Union Government’s plea to modify the 2014 Shatrughan Chauhan guidelines for death row convicts. The Bench said the plea lacked merit and reaffirmed that procedural fairness under Article 21 cannot be compromised.
In a recent press conference on January 26, 2025, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament (MP) Sudhanshu Trivedi made sharp comments ahead of the Delhi Assembly Elections, targeting the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and its leadership. He also expressed pride in the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to return Tahwwar Rana, an accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, to India.
Today, On 24th January, The Centre informed the Supreme Court that Shraddananda is seeking a direction for the President to decide on his mercy plea. The plea is related to his conviction, and the petitioner is requesting the President’s intervention. The Centre explained this during a virtual hearing in the apex court. The Court will now consider the matter for further proceedings.
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court of India has today (20th Jan) stated that it will either wait for the Union Government to take a decision or will proceed to decide on the merits of a mercy petition filed by Balwant Singh Rajoana. This petition seeks to reduce his death sentence to life imprisonment. The petition has been pending before the President of India since 2012.
![[Ex-Punjab CM Beant Singh Assassination] "Additional 4 Weeks Granted": SC Directs Centre to Decide on Balwant Singh Rajoana's Mercy Plea](https://i0.wp.com/lawchakra.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/image-39.png?resize=300%2C150&ssl=1)
Today, On 18th November, the Supreme Court directed the President’s secretary to present Balwant Singh Rajoana’s mercy petition to President Droupadi Murmu within two weeks. Rajoana, sentenced to death for the 1995 assassination of Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh, seeks commutation of his sentence. The case highlights ongoing debates about the death penalty in India.
Yesterday, On 5th September, The Supreme Court proposed guidelines to address delays in carrying out death penalty executions, expressing concern over the distress caused by indefinite delays. A three-judge bench discussed the lack of clear procedures for sessions courts to follow when a death sentence is confirmed but a mercy petition is pending. This highlights the need for clearer guidelines to prevent such delays.