The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : `Reforms in criminal justice system needed'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Nov 25, 2006
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

`Reforms in criminal justice system needed'

Most of our readers have expressed themselves against capital punishment while stressing the need for alternatives to it

It's no deterrent

Our criminal laws provide for capital punishment only in the "rarest of rare" cases where a really heinous act of murder has been committed. There is a long appeal process and every possibility of the sentence being commuted to life imprisonment. The only argument that holds good against executing a convict that such punishment has not deterred others from committing the same offence.

Sudha Nagaraj,

Malleswaram

Retribution

Even more progressive societies still award capital punishment as a form of retribution. The debate over this issue has been widespread. Does the State have the right to take away anyone's life? Perhaps our entire correctional system needs rethinking in the light of ideas about better ways to reform even the most hardened criminals. The alternative could be longer prison sentences as in some western countries.

Joshua S.,

Langford Road

Milder sentence

Many right-thinking jurists have repeatedly expressed themselves against capital punishment. Relatively few convicts are hanged to death in our country. In the case of a murder, the feelings of the kin of the victims too should be considered. It may be galling for them to watch a murderer getting away with a comparatively milder sentence after going through the trauma of a long trial.

Jayashree M.,

Ulsoor

Lethal injection

There is much to be said both for and against executing a convict. One aspect that needs to be considered is whether we cannot have a more humane way of execution, such as by lethal injection, as done in some countries. Even a murderer should be given a second chance if it was a crime of sudden anger and passion and not a premeditated and carefully planned killing. Our laws do take this into account.

Mamata K.,

Jayanagar

Uncivilised

Capital punishment is uncivilised to say the least. The "eye for an eye" form of vendetta does not fit with the ethos of a progressive and liberal society as ours is supposed to be. Reforms in the criminal justice and correctional system are long overdue. It is time to think of alternatives other than executing a convicted person.

Neha Mendes,

Benson Town

NEXT WEEK: Are politicians who are in the dock for the alleged violation of law trying to intimidate law enforcers by mobilising their supporters or holding vociferous demonstrations?

Is the law not powerful to prevent political vendetta?

This disturbing trend has worried many citizens.

Readers are invited to send their responses to The Hindu , 19 & 21, Bhagwan Mahaveer Road, Bangalore 560001, or email them to bglreflections@thehindu.co.in.

Malleswaram

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