Judgment
Supreme Court dismisses plea challenging the constitutional validity of execution by hanging
The Supreme Court dismissed the public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Rishi Malhotra challenging the constitutional validity of death by hanging under Section 354(5) of the Code of Criminal Procedure. The Court declined to refer the earlier judgment in Deena v. Union of India to a larger bench, maintaining the current method of execution while noting that the matter could be reconsidered if compelling scientific evidence or developments emerge in the future.
Explanation in simple terms
- What:
- The Supreme Court rejected a challenge to the law that allows people to be executed by hanging.
- Who:
- Rishi Malhotra is the petitioner who filed the case, and the Supreme Court is the legal body deciding it.
- When:
- Reported on 18 Aug 2026.
- Where:
- Supreme Court of India.
- Why:
- The court decided not to change its past ruling and noted that the current method remains legal.
- What it means:
- Hanging remains the legal method for execution in India unless new scientific evidence leads to a change.
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