Supreme Court Considers Review Plea of 84-Year-Old Convict

The Supreme Court dismissed Swamy Shraddananda's plea for release but agreed to review its 2008 verdict. The 84-year-old has been imprisoned for 30 years for killing his wife. Shraddananda argues that life imprisonment without parole is worse than capital punishment. The court will hear the review in four weeks.

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court questioned whether Swamy Shraddananda, serving 30 years for killing his wife, preferred the death penalty over life imprisonment. Imprisoned without parole or remission, Shraddananda claimed his sentence was harsher than capital punishment.

Justice B R Gavai's bench dismissed his plea for release but agreed to review the 2008 verdict mandating life imprisonment. His counsel cited premature releases in other high-profile cases, arguing for equity under India's Constitution. The court will consider his review plea in four weeks.

Shraddananda, 84, confessed under intense interrogation in 1994 to murdering his wife, the granddaughter of Mysore's former Dewan. Despite being a model prisoner, his previous appeals were denied. The court will now hear responses from Karnataka and others.

(With inputs from agencies.)