Former Chief Justice of India B N Kirpal favours stringent...

Former Chief Justice of India B N Kirpal favours stringent punishments like life sentences for rapists but is against the death sentence for them. "Judicial history tells us that in cases involving capital punishment, the accused have got away even in cases, when there was little doubt in the investigation of the case," Justice Kirpal said while participating in a BBC Hindi weekly phone-in programme. "I do not favour a death sentence for the offence of rape, as it would only help the guilty to get away with the benefit of doubt," he said. "What is required is a stringent punishment in rape cases including life imprisonment but the talk of death sentence would act as an over-deterrent, which would be counter productive, as there should be no doubt while pronouncing the death sentence," the former Chief Justice said.