SHER SINGH & OTHERS vs THE STATE OF PUNJAB

The Supreme Court held that while prolonged delay in executing a death sentence is a significant factor, it cannot be the sole basis for commutation to life imprisonment. The Court emphasized that various factors must be considered, including the convict's actions that may have contributed to the delay. The ruling in T.V. Vatheeswaran v. State of Tamil Nadu, which suggested a strict two-year rule for commutation, was overruled, establishing that each case must be evaluated on its own merits without a rigid formula. The Court ultimately dismissed the petitioners' writ petitions challenging the death sentence.