|
| Prosecutor Nikam advocates early disposal of mercy petition |
| Press Trust of India / Mumbai Apr 25, 2009, 14:31 IST |
|
Once the death sentence to a convict is confirmed by the Supreme Court, his mercy petition before the President should not be allowed to be kept pending for long time or else the very purpose of capital punishment would be defeated, top prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam has opined.
He was referring to Pune's Rathi murder case in which mercy petition was pending since last ten years although the Supreme Court had confirmed death penalty on three convicts who had killed eight women of a family.
If mercy petitions were allowed to be kept pending, there was always a possibility that capital punishment awarded may be reduced to life imprisonment, and in doing so the very purpose of giving deterrent punishment would be defeated, the prosecutor told a function organised to felicitate him as "People's Lawyer" here last night.
Nikam, who has secured 713 life imprisonments and 33 death penalties for accused in various cases, said capital punishment was given so that it could serve as a deterrent against heinous crimes.
About the Mumbai terror attack case, in which Nikam is public prosecutor, he said the events of November 26, 2008, shook the world.
Replying to his felicitation, accorded by India One Foundation, Nikam said "In the 26/11 terror attack case, I will ensure that justice is done to all accused facing the trial."
Nikam, who was special public prosecutor in 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case, said the 26/11 case had international ramifications and the entire world was watching.
Therefore, he had a greater responsibility as a prosecutor and would fulfil it with utmost care and in a transparent manner, the veteran lawyer assured.
"I have got many awards in the past. But this is something special for me," he said.
"Referring me as "People's lawyer" gives me a sense of belonging because I feel that this is my real identity," said Nikam to a huge applause from the audience.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Read Business news in |  |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Advertisements |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Content Guide
