Karishma Goyal, Manav Rachna University, Faridabad
ABSTRACT
Public opinion significantly influences sentencing policies in democratic societies, especially in India, where debates around harsh punishments for heinous crimes, including life imprisonment till death, have gained prominence. The Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) incorporates life imprisonment till death as a crucial element of its retributive justice framework, often viewed as an alternative to the death penalty. This research paper examines how public sentiment shapes sentencing policies, focusing on implications of life imprisonment till death as one of the sentencing policies given under the BNS. It evaluates the philosophical foundations of retributive justice, its constitutionality and the ethical implications of such severe punishments. By analyzing the interplay between public opinion, judicial decisions, and legislative reforms, the paper explores whether life imprisonment till death serves as a necessary response to societal demands for justice or whether it raises concerns about proportionality and fairness. Ultimately, it aims to contribute to the broader debate on the role of public opinion in shaping legal reforms and the ethical implications of life imprisonment till death in India's criminal justice system.
Keywords: Life imprisonment, Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, Retributive justice, Sentencing policies.
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