Goa, Aug. 18 -- The Supreme Court has dismissed a plea challenging hanging as the method of execution for those sentenced to death, while leaving the door open for the issue to be reconsidered if compelling medical or scientific evidence emerges.

The Court also clarified that the Union government is free to examine alternative methods of carrying out the death penalty through an expert body.

The ruling indicates that while the present challenge has been dismissed, developments in medical and scientific research could provide grounds for the Supreme Court to revisit the question of whether hanging remains the appropriate method of execution.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Herald Goa....