Pranab Clears Way For First-ever Hanging Of A Woman
[Editor: I am really shocked to see the current action of the President of India. The land of "Ahimsha" (or non--violence), has been converted into an altar of retributive justice, by the preachers of butchery; amidst a wild cacophony from certain sections of Indian populace. Our Hindu Religious values on granting pardon and mercy has been thrown into dust-bin and the state has resorted to (extreme) violent methods to rule. I experience haplessness, as one after another, the convicts are marched towards the gallows, to fulfill the mad desire, of following certain statues in the law books. As an Unfortunate Citizen of this Great Country, I cannot do anything except experiencing biting-pain and asking God to save the lives of the convicts; as the "State Sponsored Murders" are given sanctions by the highest authority]
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| Sonia’s victims: Her father Relu Ram, mother Krishna, sister Priyanka, step brother Sunil, his wife Shakuntala and their children Lokesh, Shivani and Priety. Photo: Mumbai Mirror |
Haryana’s Sonia, daughter of Relu Ram Punia, former Haryana MLA, might become the first woman in India’s history to be hanged as President Pranab Mukherjee has rejected her mercy petition. Government sources say the President has also rejected mercy petitions of at least six other death convicts.
Sonia was convicted along with her husband Sanjeev in 2007 of killing eight members of her family, including her father, over a property dispute in 2001. They are currently lodged in Ambala jail.
Notably, Nalini was awarded the death penalty for Rajiv Gandhi's assassination but her sentence was commuted to life imprisonment on the intervention of Sonia Gandhi.
Mr. Mukherjee has also rejected the mercy petitions of four convicts from U.P. — Gurmeet Singh (for killing 13 of his family members in 1986), Jafar Ali (who murdered his wife and five daughters), and Suresh and Ramji (brothers who killed five of their relatives).
The mercy plea of Dharampal, a rape convict from Haryana who later murdered five members of the victim’s family, was also rejected.
Sonia was convicted along with her husband Sanjeev in 2007 of killing eight members of her family, including her father, over a property dispute in 2001. They are currently lodged in Ambala jail.
Notably, Nalini was awarded the death penalty for Rajiv Gandhi's assassination but her sentence was commuted to life imprisonment on the intervention of Sonia Gandhi.
The mercy plea of Dharampal, a rape convict from Haryana who later murdered five members of the victim’s family, was also rejected.
Courtesy: The Hindu Busines Line
