SC Directives on Remission Policy

About Supreme Court directives

Standardization and Accessibility of Policies: All remission policies, including any updates or modifications, must be made available in prisons and on official government websites in English.
Timely Communication of Rejections: If a convict’s application for remission is denied, the rejection order must be communicated to the convict within one week.
Individualised Case Consideration: The Court directed that “stereotype conditions” should not be applied to remission grants.
Transparency and Accountability in Remission Decisions: Any modifications to remission policies must be shared promptly, both online and in physical prison locations, to ensure transparency.

Types of Pardoning Powers

Pardoning powers of the President are provided under Article 72 & for the governor under Article 161.
Pardon: When the President grants a pardon, the sentences & punishments given to the offender are nullified.
Respite: A lesser sentence is granted in place of the original one. E.g. if a convict has a physical disability or if a female offender is pregnant.
Reprieve: Temporarily suspends the execution of a sentence (particularly the death penalty).
Remit: It is used to reduce the time period of the sentence, but punishment retains its original character. E.g. A sentence of two years of strict imprisonment may be reduced to one year of strict imprisonment.
Commute: The original form of punishment is substituted for a lighter form of punishment