SC seeks Centre'S response on timely disposal of mercy petitions

The top court, which was hearing a petition filed by one Shiv Kumar Tripathi through video conferencing, sought to whether there was any time limit for disposal of mercy petitions by President.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday sought the Centre's reply on a plea seeking direction to the government for time-bound disposal of mercy petitions.

The bench of Chief Justice S A Bobde and Justices A S Bopanna and Hrishikesh Roy issued notice to the Centre and sought its response within four weeks.

The top court was hearing a plea filed by Shiv Kumar Tripathi who sought directions to the government to frame specific procedures, rules, and guidelines for disposing of the mercy plea in a time-bound manner.

The bench said that format of mercy petition is not important but what is important is the time limit for placing it before the President.

The CJI further said that the court cannot be directing the President for timely disposal but it may consider directing the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on the time limit for placing the mercy petition before the President.