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Public Interest Litigation on Execution by Hanging

A Public Interest Litigation challenged the constitutionality of Section 354(5) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, which mandates execution by hanging. On 13 September 2026, the Supreme Court dismissed the petition and upheld the constitutional validity of the current execution method. The Court declined to refer the matter to a larger bench, effectively closing the case.

State of Tamil Nadu vs Daswant — 2017 Mugalivakkam minor rape and murder case

Dashwanth was previously sentenced to death for the 2017 rape and murder of a 7-year-old girl in Mugalivakkam. The Supreme Court of India set aside his conviction and acquitted him on 8 October 2025. As reported on 28 May 2026, the Tamil Nadu government stated its intention to file a curative petition against this acquittal.

State vs Unknown Accused (Uttarakhand Rape-Murder Case)

The Supreme Court acquitted two individuals, including one who was on death row, in connection with the 2014 rape and murder of a seven-year-old girl in Uttarakhand. The court cited a broken chain of circumstantial evidence as the basis for the acquittal.

State of Uttarakhand vs Unknown Accused — 2015 POCSO rape and murder case

In September 2025, the Supreme Court of India acquitted two individuals, including a death row convict, in the 2015 rape and murder case of a seven-year-old girl in Uttarakhand. The court ruled that the chain of circumstantial evidence was incomplete, overturning the 2017 conviction delivered by the Uttarakhand High Court.

State of Madhya Pradesh vs Accused — 2018 Mandsaur rape case

In the 2018 Mandsaur rape case, a trial court had initially convicted two men and sentenced them to death in July 2018. However, the Supreme Court set aside these convictions and the death penalties on 10 March 2025, resulting in the acquittal of the accused.

State vs Chandrabhan Sanap — Mumbai techie rape and murder case

Chandrabhan Sanap was originally convicted and sentenced to death by a trial court for the 2014 rape and murder of a woman in Mumbai, a decision upheld by the Bombay High Court in 2018. On 28 January 2025, the Supreme Court of India set aside this conviction and acquitted him, citing significant gaps in the prosecution's evidence.

State vs Mukesh and others — Nirbhaya case

In the 2012 Delhi gang-rape and murder case, the Supreme Court of India upheld the death sentences of four convicts in May 2017. Following the exhaustion of all legal remedies, the four convicts were executed by hanging at Tihar Jail on 20 March 2020.

State of Gujarat vs Ravjibhai et al. — 2003 murder case

The Supreme Court acquitted six individuals who had been sentenced to death in 2009 for the 2003 murder of five members of a family, including a minor girl. The court overturned its own previous judgment in a rare reversal.

State vs. Vikas Yadav and Vishal Yadav — Nitish Katara murder case

Vikas and Vishal Yadav were convicted for the 2002 murder of Nitish Katara. The Supreme Court heard appeals regarding the death penalty for the convicts.