Alternative To Death by Hanging

Subject : Polity

Section: Judiciary

Concept :

In the Supreme Court, the Union Government stated that it is considering the formation of a committee to investigate the need for a painless and more dignified alternative to death by hanging.
This move could potentially end the barbaric and inhuman practice of executing death row convicts by hanging them by the neck until they are dead.
Hanging is not only cruel and painful, but also violates the fundamental right to life and dignity of the condemned prisoners.
Hanging as a mode of execution has been challenged several times in the past because it is inconsistent with Article 21 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to life and personal liberty.

Background of the Present Context

A petition was filed in the Supreme Court seeking to abolish hanging and adopt other methods such as lethal injection or electrocution, which he claimed are comparatively less painful and more humane.
The Supreme Court, in March 2023, directed the Centre to gather information on the less painful modes of execution than hanging by the neck in death sentence cases in the country.
The court also suggested that the Centre could set up an expert panel to examine the issue from the standpoint of science and technology and find an approach that is both humane and socially acceptable.

Alternatives for death by hanging

Alternatives for death by hanging are lethal injection, firing squad and electrocution. These methods are used in some other countries that still retain capital punishmen However, each of these methods has its drawbacks and controversies.
A lethal injection may cause severe pain and suffering if the drugs are not administered properly or if the prisoner has a medical condition that affects the effectiveness of the drugs.
A firing squad may result in a prolonged and bloody death if the shooters miss the vital organs or if there are multiple rounds of firing.
Electrocution may cause severe burns, mutilation and disfigurement of the body.
Therefore, there is no clear consensus on which method of execution is the most humane and dignified.

For further notes on Death Penalty, refer – https://optimizeias.com/death-penalty/