Reprieve
Topic: Union Executive: President, Vice-President, Prime Minister and Council of Ministers · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
A reprieve is a temporary stay (pause) on carrying out a sentence, usually a death sentence. It gives the convict time to ask for a pardon or commutation. It does not reduce or cancel the punishment. It only stops it for a while. The President can grant it under Art. 72 and a Governor under Art. 161, both on their ministers' advice.
Example
A death-row convict files a mercy petition. The execution is stayed while the Home Ministry studies the petition and advises the President.
Don't confuse with
- Respite: it gives a lesser sentence because of a special fact, such as pregnancy. A reprieve only delays the sentence and does not change it.
Related concepts
- Pardoning power of the President
- Pardon
- Commutation
- Remission
- Respite
- Maru Ram case
- Kehar Singh case
- Epuru Sudhakar case