The apex court was hearing suo motu case to examine and institutionalise process involved in collection of data and information to decide award of sentence in death penalty cases. The intention was to lay down guidelines to be followed by courts across India while considering cases involved awarding death penalty.
The suo motu case was initiated last month while hearing a plea by one Irfan@ Bhayu Mevati challenging the death penalty imposed on him by the trial court and confirmed by the Madhya Pradesh High Court.
The Court had earlier sought the assistance of Attorney General KK Venugopal and also appointed advocate K Parameshwar as Amicus Curiae.
Subsequently, the Amicus had submitted report highlighting how the State of Madhya Pradesh publicises achievements of prosecutors and confers annual awards on them for their work though there are no financial incentives.
On Thursday, when the matter was taken up for hearing the Bench of Justices UU Lalit, S Ravindra Bhat and Sudhanshu Dhulia opined that the policy by State of MP would undermine the independence of the prosecutor, his discretion, fair trial and judicial independence.
Source: Barandbench
