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What relief did the Supreme Court of India grant to the death-row petitioners in Shatrughan Chauhan v.…

The Court considered supervening circumstances after the death sentences had been imposed. It held that undue, unexplained delay in deciding a mercy petition could justify…

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What relief did the Supreme Court of India grant to the death-row petitioners in Shatrughan Chauhan v. Union of India (2014) on the basis of supervening circumstances?

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Answer and explanation

Correct answer C

The Court considered supervening circumstances after the death sentences had been imposed. It held that undue, unexplained delay in deciding a mercy petition could justify commutation.

The Court commuted the petitioners' death sentences to life imprisonment.

Option feedback

Option A

The Supreme Court dealt with the execution of confirmed death sentences. It did not acquit the petitioners.

Option B

The Court did not order a retrial of the underlying charges.

Option C

The Supreme Court commuted the death sentences to life imprisonment on the individual records.

Option D

The Supreme Court itself commuted the sentences. It did not send the cases to trial courts for resentencing.

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