Capital Punishment, as defined by the Merriam Webster dictionary, is the execution of an offender sentenced to death after conviction by a court of law of a criminal offence.
As despicable, brutal and morally incorrect as it may seem, the death sentence in India is only awarded in the "rarest of rare cases." Rape, fraud, sexual assault, aggravated murder, terrorist attacks, domestic violence, kidnapping, child abuse, espionage - the news papers are full of these news pieces. Every morning begins with this - 'raped minor found near garbage dump,' '22-year-old girl ends life because of repeated assault,' 'gold worth ₹10 lakh looted from local jeweler's store.' Over the last few decades, the crime rate has risen manifold. Rape has emerged as one of the most vicious crimes, being committed over and over again. It gives the impression that there is no longer a fear of the law. The offenders are not afraid, neither worried about the consequences for they know that they can get away with it. In 2012, 24,923 cases of rape were registered. It would not be wrong to say that there were almost as many unregistered cases as well. The Delhi Gang Rape Case of December 2012 was one of the most horrific instances of rape that came under the public eye. It brought people to the streets, sparked outrage and . Shortly after, the Shakti Mills Gangrape happened where a photojournalist was raped in the compound in Mahalakshmi, Mumbai in 2013. Public has become intolerant towards the crime. People are more aware now and see no reason why these sinners should go unpunished. If an individual can go to the extent of committing a barbarous murder, is he not entitled to the same? If a man kills another man, how is the law morally wrong in punishing him by taking his life?
The last two known executions to take place in India were the February 8, 2013 hanging of Mohammed Afzal, convicted of plotting the 2001 attack on India's parliament, and the hanging of 2008 Mumbai gunman Mohammed Ajmal Amir Qasab on November 21, 2012. Prior to these hangings, the last execution in India took place in 2004 when Dhanonjay Chaterjee was executed by hanging for the murder and rape of a 14-year old girl. This was the first after the execution in 1995. A large number of people felt that the law had given them some kind of justice by awarding the death sentence to the criminals. The impact of a terrorist attack is much larger than just the physical attacks; people are traumatised and instilled with fear that takes a toll on them, emotionally and psychologically.
What is it that provokes an individual to rape? What causes a murderer to ruthlessly stab or slaughter? Can we curb these perpetrators from indulging in brute, inhuman and insensitive actions? While it may be agreed that these individuals are in need of therapy and guidance, are their lives really worth the time and energy that some others will invest in them? Do the fundamental characteristics of any individual's personality ever change? History is witness to the fact that not many criminals, released after their term ends, have transformed into sane, sensitive beings. A trace of delinquency, of immorality persists; an urge to kill, an urge to rape, an urge to cheat or steal always lingers on. Is the law then unjustified in continuing with the capital punishment?
As despicable, brutal and morally incorrect as it may seem, the death sentence in India is only awarded in the "rarest of rare cases." Rape, fraud, sexual assault, aggravated murder, terrorist attacks, domestic violence, kidnapping, child abuse, espionage - the news papers are full of these news pieces. Every morning begins with this - 'raped minor found near garbage dump,' '22-year-old girl ends life because of repeated assault,' 'gold worth ₹10 lakh looted from local jeweler's store.' Over the last few decades, the crime rate has risen manifold. Rape has emerged as one of the most vicious crimes, being committed over and over again. It gives the impression that there is no longer a fear of the law. The offenders are not afraid, neither worried about the consequences for they know that they can get away with it. In 2012, 24,923 cases of rape were registered. It would not be wrong to say that there were almost as many unregistered cases as well. The Delhi Gang Rape Case of December 2012 was one of the most horrific instances of rape that came under the public eye. It brought people to the streets, sparked outrage and . Shortly after, the Shakti Mills Gangrape happened where a photojournalist was raped in the compound in Mahalakshmi, Mumbai in 2013. Public has become intolerant towards the crime. People are more aware now and see no reason why these sinners should go unpunished. If an individual can go to the extent of committing a barbarous murder, is he not entitled to the same? If a man kills another man, how is the law morally wrong in punishing him by taking his life?The last two known executions to take place in India were the February 8, 2013 hanging of Mohammed Afzal, convicted of plotting the 2001 attack on India's parliament, and the hanging of 2008 Mumbai gunman Mohammed Ajmal Amir Qasab on November 21, 2012. Prior to these hangings, the last execution in India took place in 2004 when Dhanonjay Chaterjee was executed by hanging for the murder and rape of a 14-year old girl. This was the first after the execution in 1995. A large number of people felt that the law had given them some kind of justice by awarding the death sentence to the criminals. The impact of a terrorist attack is much larger than just the physical attacks; people are traumatised and instilled with fear that takes a toll on them, emotionally and psychologically.
What is it that provokes an individual to rape? What causes a murderer to ruthlessly stab or slaughter? Can we curb these perpetrators from indulging in brute, inhuman and insensitive actions? While it may be agreed that these individuals are in need of therapy and guidance, are their lives really worth the time and energy that some others will invest in them? Do the fundamental characteristics of any individual's personality ever change? History is witness to the fact that not many criminals, released after their term ends, have transformed into sane, sensitive beings. A trace of delinquency, of immorality persists; an urge to kill, an urge to rape, an urge to cheat or steal always lingers on. Is the law then unjustified in continuing with the capital punishment?
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