Archive · 19 Aug 2026
India Retains Hanging as Global Executions Rise Despite Debate
India uses hanging as its official way to carry out the death penalty.
A petition asked the Supreme Court to replace hanging with another method.
The petition said hanging can cause a long period of pain and suffering.
One suggested replacement was intravenous lethal injection.
The Supreme Court dismissed the petition on Tuesday.
The issue had also been examined by the government.
Around the world, countries use different execution methods, including hanging, lethal injection and beheading.
Amnesty International said executions increased in 2025 even though 113 countries had abolished the death penalty in law or practice.
India’s Supreme Court dismissed a petition seeking to abolish hanging for executions.
The 2017 petition argued that hanging causes prolonged pain and suffering.
The petition proposed alternatives including intravenous lethal injection.
Hanging remains India’s prescribed execution method, influenced by British Common Law.
Amnesty International reported a 12% rise in executions in 2025, while 113 countries had abolished the death penalty in law or practice.
- Who
- The Supreme Court bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta considered a petition filed by Senior Advocate Rishi Malhotra.
- What
- The court dismissed a petition seeking to replace hanging as India’s prescribed execution method.
- When
- The dismissal occurred on Tuesday; the petition was filed in 2017, and the issue was examined by the government earlier this year.
- Where
- India.
- Why
- The petition argued that hanging involves prolonged pain and suffering and proposed alternatives such as intravenous lethal injection.
Petitioners’ Position
Court’s Decision
Whether hanging should remain the execution method
Petitioners’ Position
The petition argued that hanging causes prolonged pain and suffering and sought an alternative such as intravenous lethal injection.
Court’s Decision
The Supreme Court dismissed the petition seeking to abolish hanging as India’s execution method.
Government examination of alternatives
Petitioners’ Position
The petition supported considering another method of execution.
Court’s Decision
The Attorney General said the issue was being examined at the highest level, but the court did not grant the requested change.
- Current method in India
- Hanging remains the prescribed method for executions.
- Petition filed
- 2017
- Petitioner
- Senior Advocate Rishi Malhotra
- Proposed alternative
- Intravenous lethal injection
- Court decision
- The Supreme Court dismissed the petition.
- Global abolition
- 113 countries had abolished the death penalty in law or practice.
- Executions in 2025
- Amnesty International reported a 12% increase compared with the previous year.