No proposal to abolish death sentence: Government

 The government today said it has no proposal to abolish capital punishment in the country. "No. At present, there is no proposal in this (Home) Ministry to amend the Indian Penal Code, 1860 to abolish capital punishment in the country," Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju informed Lok Sabha.

In a written reply, he said the Law Commission posted a consultation paper on capital punishment on its website in May 2014 seeking suggestions and comments on the issue. The minister said in the Code of Criminal Procedure, various sections are already in place for speedy trial and elimination of delays in investigation and trial proceedings. Moreover, amendments have been carried out in the CrPC in 2008 to ensure time-bound conviction and speedy delivery of justice, he said.

"Amendment to Section 309 for continuing the proceedings of trial on a day-to-day basis until all the witnesses in attendance have been examined has also been made through Criminal Law (Amendment Act 2013," Rijiju said.