Many persons want abolition of the death penalty. While I agree that ordinarily the death penalty should not be imposed, I am of the view that in exceptional case it should be awarded.
Our society is in transition from feudal society to a modern industrial one. Whatever helps in this advance should be supported, while whatever obstructs it it should be opposed.
For example, 'honour killing' is a barbaric,feudal practice, and so must be stamped out, and to do that terror must be created in the minds of those who indulge in it by awarding death penalty in such cases. I said this in a judgment I gave in the Supreme Court, Bhagwan Das vs. State ( NCT ) of Delhi, 2001.
Similarly, dowry death, fake encounter killing by the cops, serial killing ,and particulary gruesome murders should be awarded death penalty.
I am not a blood thirsty person. But I agree with Bheeshma Pitamah in his upadesh to Yudhishthir after the Mahabharata war in the Shantiparva.
Bheeshma Pitamah told Yudhishthir :
" O Yudhishthir, I know that you are merciful and forgiving by nature, but the government cannot be conducted in this manner. You must sometimes be firm, and award punishment in appropriate cases "
