Criminal Law: Fire in shop. 14 persons died. Sanction to prosecute granted after 3 years. Even then trial will be held

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A fire broke out in a shop where explosive substances were kept. In fire 14 persons lost lives.

Sanction to prosecute was delayed. Given after three years.

In spite of this delay, the trial orderedto be continued as offence alleged were serious.

Ref: 2012(5) SCALE 4 on page 11 para 14

Haresh Raichura
18/6/2012

Criminal Laws: Law about Delay in Execution of Death Sentence and delay in Deciding mercy petitions against death sentences

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Does the President of India have arbitrary powers to grant or reject a mercy petition against death sentence?
Is there any time limit for exercise of these powers?
These issues have caught Nation’s Attention.
The following cases are pending in Supreme Court in above matter. Devender Pal Singh vs State of NCT, Mahendra Nath Das and L.K. Venkat vs UOI

Ref: 2012(5) SCALE 35 on page 38 para 10

There may be some other cases also.

In my view, at the end of the day, Supreme Court may have to frame reasonable guidelines about time frame.

Haresh Raichura
18/6/2012