No death sentences confirmed by Supreme Court for third consecutive year
GS2Polity · Governance · IR· Judiciary & landmark judgments· Prelims + Mains·
Why in news
The Square Circle Clinic report revealed that the Supreme Court confirmed zero death sentences for three consecutive years despite 128 sentences by High Courts in 2025.
Background
The report noted that 95% of death sentences in 2025 were imposed without compliance with Supreme Court guidelines.
Facts for Prelims
- BodyThe Square Circle Clinic is an initiative at NALSAR University of Law
- FactHigh Courts sentenced 128 individuals to death in 2025
- Fact95% of death sentences in 2025 were imposed without compliance with Supreme Court guidelines
For Mains
Q. Critically analyze the judicial trend of commuting death sentences and the implications of procedural violations at the trial court level on the right to a fair trial.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Trial court infirmity: High acquittal rates suggest systemic errors in Sessions Court conviction processes
- Procedural non-compliance: Widespread failure to adhere to Supreme Court sentencing guidelines at lower judiciary levels
Keywords: Judicial review · Right to fair trial · Sentencing guidelines · Appellate jurisdiction · Wrongful conviction
More Polity & Constitution notes
- Supreme Court asks Election Commission to consider writ petitioner’s suggestions against excessive poll expenditure · 10 February 2026
- Special revision: Assam voter count decreases by 2.43 lakh in final roll · 10 February 2026
- SIR electoral revision: What is the current controversy around Form 7? · 10 February 2026
- No bar on moving no-confidence motion during end of a gram panchayat’s term: Karnataka High Court · 9 February 2026
- Supreme Court adjourns WhatsApp-Meta privacy policy case to Feb. 23 · 9 February 2026
- West Bengal CEO seeks one-week extension for SIR deadline; 5% hearings pending · 7 February 2026
Something wrong, or something missing?
Spotted a mistake in a note, or want a topic, format or PDF that would help your preparation? Write to us. We read every mail and fix errors fast.
Report a mistake →Ask for something →thesatyadheesh@gmail.com
This note is generated automatically from SatyaDheesh's news feed and mapped to the UPSC CSE syllabus. Check facts against the original report or PIB before using them in an answer.