India
2026
- GOVERNMENT
- federal parliamentary republic
- CONSTITUTION
- January 26, 1950; amended several times
- LEGAL SYSTEM
- based on English common law; partial review of legislative acts by the judiciary
- LEGISLATIVE SYSTEM
- bicameral, Council of States (Rajya Sabha) and People's Assembly (Lok Sabha)
- JUDICIAL SYSTEM
- Supreme Court, judges appointed by the President and serve until 65 years of age
RELIGIONS
80% Hindu; 11% Muslims; 2% Christians; 2% Sikhs; Buddhist minorities and others
From the country
- JANUARY 5, 2000IndiaDEATH PENALTY
The Supreme Court of India commuted to life imprisonment...
The Supreme Court of India commuted to life imprisonment the death sentence awarded to Kishori, the infamous "butcher of Trilokpuri" for killing several people during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots
- JANUARY 3, 2000IndiaDEATH PENALTY
India's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said the federal...
India's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said the federal government should amend the laws dealing with terrorism to give "severe punishment", including capital punishment, to those involved in terrorist activities
- JANUARY 1, 2000IndiaDEATH PENALTY
The Indian legislative system also provides for different...
The Indian legislative system also provides for different levels of appeal, and death sentences are frequently commuted to life imprisonment upon appeal
- JANUARY 1, 2000IndiaDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty is provided for by the Penal Code...
The death penalty is provided for by the Penal Code and by Art
- JANUARY 1, 2000IndiaDEATH PENALTY
On February 12, 1999, the Maharashtra Control of Organized...
On February 12, 1999, the Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Ordinance, 1999, was signed by President K
- DECEMBER 18, 1999IndiaDEATH PENALTY
On December 18, District and Sessions Judge Vikramjit...
On December 18, District and Sessions Judge Vikramjit Singh pronounced death sentences on Ramadhar, Onkar Yadav, Umashankar, Mukteshwar, Madan and Munnilal who would be hanged to death for the mass killing which took place in Ghazipur 11 years ago
- DECEMBER 18, 1999IndiaDEATH PENALTY
On December 18, General Secretary Vaiko of the MDMK,...
On December 18, General Secretary Vaiko of the MDMK, a partner in the ruling BJP-led coalition, said he and Tamils National Movement leader P
- DECEMBER 14, 1999IndiaDEATH PENALTY
On December 14, during a meeting organized by women's...
On December 14, during a meeting organized by women's organizations in the city of Chennai, Ossie Fernandez of the Campaign Against the Death Penalty explained the rationale of the lobby which was against the extreme punishment, by saying that the campaig
- NOVEMBER 27, 1999IndiaDEATH PENALTY
On November 27, Minister Ram Jethmalani hinted that...
On November 27, Minister Ram Jethmalani hinted that he was personally against awarding the death sentence to rapists
- NOVEMBER 25, 1999IndiaDEATH PENALTY
On November 25, the Madras High Court set aside the...
On November 25, the Madras High Court set aside the Tamil Nadu Governor's order rejecting the clemency petitions of the four condemned prisoners
- NOVEMBER 24, 1999IndiaDEATH PENALTY
On November 24, Nata Mullick, 73, a veteran hangman...
On November 24, Nata Mullick, 73, a veteran hangman but now an avid anti-death penalty campaigner, joined a citizens' group fighting for the abolition of capital punishment
- NOVEMBER 18, 1999IndiaDEATH PENALTY
On November 18, Mrs Sonia Gandhi pleaded for commutation...
On November 18, Mrs Sonia Gandhi pleaded for commutation of the death sentence of Nalini