← 11 October 2026's Current Affairs · Polity GA Prelims ★★★☆☆ Mains ★★★☆☆
Centre opposes commutation plea of Balwant Singh Rajoana
સમાચારમાં કેમ?
Pending since 2012, still opposed: the Article 72 vs 161 mercy power every Polity answer must separate
The Union Government opposed the plea of Balwant Singh Rajoana to commute his death sentence, even though his mercy petition has been pending since 2012.
Why it matters: general awareness
What you need to know
2 મિનિટ
The Union Government opposed the plea of Balwant Singh Rajoana to commute his death sentence, even though his mercy petition has been pending since 2012.
A mercy petition is a formal plea to the President under Article 72, or to the Governor under Article 161, seeking pardon, reprieve, remission or commutation.
The delay in deciding such petitions has been a recurring ground in constitutional challenges to death sentences.
સ્રોત: Topper IAS editorial (PIB / The Hindu / Indian Express)
મુખ્ય તથ્યો
Remember these
- Article 72: the President's power to grant pardons, reprieves, respites, remissions and commutations, including for death sentences.
- Article 161: the Governor's similar power, limited to offences under State law.
- Balwant Singh Rajoana's mercy petition has been pending since 2012; the Centre opposes commuting his death sentence.
- Unexplained delay in deciding mercy petitions has been a recurring ground in constitutional challenges to death sentences.
- The Governor cannot pardon a death sentence in the way the President can; only the President can commute or pardon it under Article 72 (the Governor can only suspend, remit or commute under Article 161).
પ્રિલિમ્સ · મેઇન્સ
How the exam will ask it
પ્રિલિમ્સ
- Article 72 empowers the President to grant pardons, reprieves, respites and remissions, and to suspend, remit or commute sentences, including a sentence of death.
- Article 161 gives the Governor the power to grant pardons and similar relief in matters to which the executive power of the State extends.
- A mercy petition is a formal plea to the President or the Governor seeking pardon, reprieve, remission or commutation.
- Delay in deciding a mercy petition has been invoked as a ground to challenge the execution of a death sentence.
મેઇન્સ
GS-II (Polity): Executive powers of the President and Governor. The issue is the long pendency of mercy petitions, which raises questions under Articles 72 and 161 and the fairness of death sentence procedure. The implication is prolonged uncertainty for the convict and judicial scrutiny of executive delay; the way forward is time-bound disposal of petitions with clear, reasoned decisions.
Quick recall
Answer before you reveal
Under which constitutional provision does the President of India have the power to grant pardons, reprieves and commutations, including in cases of death sentence?
- Article 161
- Article 124
- Article 143
- Article 72
જવાબ જુઓ
જવાબ: D — Correct: Article 72 — Article 72 empowers the President to grant pardons, reprieves, respites, remissions and commutations, including for death sentences; it is the basis of mercy petitions. • Article 161 — wrong: Article 161 gives the Governor power to grant pardons for offences under State law, not the President. • Article 124 — wrong: Article 124 deals with the establishment and constitution of the Supreme Court. • Article 143 — wrong: Article 143 empowers the President to seek the Supreme Court's advisory opinion.
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