[Deathpenalty]death penalty news-----worldwide

[Rick Halperin]

May 3


INDIA:

India witnesses spurt in death sentences


The death sentence handed out to Aftab Ansari for the attack on the
American Centre in Kolkata has put the focus back on the rarest or rare
sentences.

There has been significant increase in the number of criminals on death
row over the last few years.

-Between 1999 and 2003, 507 people were sentenced to death.

-In 1999, there were 46 death sentences given across India.

-By 2003, that number went up to 142.

"More crimes are being committed, there have been more acts of terrorism
due to which so many death sentences are being given," said Ram Avtar
Yadav, Director, NCRB.

But human rights lawyers disagree. They say that the rising number of
death sentences is a statement on today's judiciary, which is inclined
towards taking a stronger stand.

There's also the other issue of lengthy appeals. The last execution was
that of Dhananjay Chatterjee in Kolkata for rape and murder.

He was executed 14 years after the trial court ordered it, a sign perhaps
that the India's death rows are going to remain crowded for quite some
time.

(source: NDTV News)