L.K.VENKAT vs UNION OF INDIA & ORS.

The Supreme Court exercised its power under Article 139A(1) to transfer three writ petitions from the Madras High Court to itself, concerning the rejection of mercy petitions filed by V. Sriharan @ Murugan and others, convicted under Section 302 IPC and TADA. The Court noted the potential for an impeded fair adjudication due to the charged atmosphere surrounding the cases, as well as the similarity of issues with pending cases before it. The Court did not find it necessary to decide on the political support for the convicts but prioritized the need for a fair hearing.