UNION OF INDIA vs DHARAM PAL

The Supreme Court upheld the High Court's decision to commute the Respondent's death sentence to life imprisonment, citing a violation of fundamental rights due to the inordinate delay in deciding his mercy petition under Article 72 of the Constitution of India. The Court noted that the Respondent had been acquitted of the rape charge, which was a significant factor in the original sentencing. The Court emphasized the importance of considering the Respondent's long period of solitary confinement and total imprisonment exceeding 25 years.