Supreme Court: Right to Seek Remission Applies Even in Cases of Mandatory Life Imprisonment

The Supreme Court has observed that the right to seek remission is applicable even when a person is convicted under provisions that prescribe mandatory punishment for imprisonment for the remainder of the person's natural life.

The Bench further observed that this right is both a constitutional and statutory right.

The observation was made in the case where the Bench was hearing a writ petition challenging the validity of Section 376D of the IPC, which prescribes the aforementioned punishment.

[Mahendra Vishwanath Kawchale v Union of India]