India's Supreme Court Upholds Hanging as Execution Method

Aug 18, 2026

71 min

Aug 18, 2026 11:31

India Supreme Court backs hanging as method of execution

## Court Decision

India's Supreme Court has rejected a petition challenging the use of hanging as the method of execution, maintaining it as the prescribed approach for carrying out death penalties. The petition argued that hanging causes unnecessary pain and fails to uphold the dignity of death row inmates.

## Future Considerations

While the court dismissed the plea, it noted that the decision is not final. The Central government is encouraged to explore alternative methods, and the issue could be revisited if new scientific or medical evidence emerges. The court suggested that an expert committee could be formed to review other execution methods.

## Petition Details

The plea, filed by lawyer Rishi Malhotra, proposed alternatives like lethal injection and electrocution, citing a United Nations resolution advocating for minimal suffering in capital punishment. The petition also challenged the legal provision mandating hanging, arguing for a more dignified death under constitutional rights.

## Government's Stance

The government had previously examined the issue and considered allowing prisoners to choose between hanging and lethal injection. However, it deemed this choice impractical. The court expressed dissatisfaction with the government's reluctance to change the method, noting that hanging is an outdated practice.

## Current Status

As of now, hanging remains the method for executing death sentences in India, applicable in the "rarest of rare" cases. However, the Supreme Court's openness to future scrutiny leaves room for potential changes based on new evidence.

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