Death penalty prevents many crimes from taking place: KTS Tulsi

Voicing his disagreement with BJP MP Varun Gandhi's comments about the death penalty, senior lawyer KTS Tulsi on Saturday said capital punishment should not be revoked as it serves as a deterrent against crimes.

"I respect that opinion but I do not concur with it. I believe that it's important that death sentence stays on the statuette books because there is no other punishment that invokes fear in the minds and hearts of people. It is this punishment which prevents many crimes from taking place," Tulsi told ANI.

He cited the examples of countries like America and China where more than 500 executions take place every year.

"In America more than 500 executions take place every year where as in India, it is less than one person in a year. In 65 years, we have executed less than 50 people," said Tulsi.

"India has already given the proof of being a civilized nation, a law abiding nation, to the whole world. We need not revoke it," he added.

According to reports, Varun Gandhi had earlier said that capital punishment only legalises revenge and, therefore, ought to be done away with.

He also argued that the death penalty has historically enabled tyranny and that its utility is proving to be anachronistic.