Swami Shraddhanand, an 85-year-old self-styled godman, is currently serving a life sentence for the brutal murder of his wife, Shakereh Khaleeli. In a plea submitted to the Supreme Court, Shraddhanand has sought an expedited decision on his mercy petition pending with the President of India. The convict, imprisoned for over 30 years without parole, argues for a speedy resolution citing his deteriorating health and advanced age.
Supreme Court Proceedings
The case was presented before a bench comprising Justices BR Gavai and AG Masih. The Additional Solicitor General, representing the Union, requested two weeks to obtain necessary instructions. Advocate Varun Thakur, representing Shraddhanand, emphasized that his client has been denied parole for decades and is enduring various health issues.
Justice Gavai observed that this might be Shraddhanand's seventh or eighth petition but allowed time for further submissions. The court also acknowledged the unique nature of Shraddhanand’s punishment, which introduced the "middle-path law" of life imprisonment without remission, bridging the gap between life sentences and the death penalty.
Background of the Case
Shakereh Khaleeli, the granddaughter of Sir Mirza Ismail (Dewan of Mysore), married Shraddhanand in 1986 after ending her first marriage. In 1991, she disappeared under suspicious circumstances. Investigations revealed that Shraddhanand had drugged and buried her alive after securing a power of attorney and will in his favor.
Authorities exhumed her body from her residence's courtyard in 1994, leading to Shraddhanand's arrest. Initially sentenced to death in 2000 by a Karnataka court, the punishment was upheld by the Karnataka High Court in 2005. However, in 2008, the Supreme Court commuted the death sentence to life imprisonment without the possibility of release.
Arguments by the Defense
The defense highlighted that Shraddhanand had filed multiple petitions over the years, including a review of the 2008 judgment and pleas for parole. Additionally, his lawyer contended that the sentence of life imprisonment until death was harsh, as it prevented any consideration of remission or parole under Section 432 of the IPC.
The bench, however, clarified that the punishment aligns with established precedents, including the five-judge Constitution bench ruling in Union of India v. V. Sriharan (2015).
Supreme Court’s Deferral
Recently, the Supreme Court deferred the hearing on Shraddhanand's mercy petition, granting two weeks for the Central Government’s representative to provide clarity. Justice Gavai remarked that Shraddhanand owes his survival to the judiciary’s intervention, hinting at the gravity of his crime.
The Legacy of the Case
The gruesome murder has drawn widespread attention, including a 2023 Amazon Prime docuseries, Dancing on the Grave, which explores the shocking details of Shakereh Khaleeli’s death.
Despite earning accolades as a model prisoner, including five "Best Prisoner" awards, Shraddhanand's appeals for leniency have been repeatedly denied, with the judiciary emphasizing the need for justice to match the severity of his crime.
conclusion
The case of Swami Shraddhanand underscores the complexities of the judicial system in balancing justice and mercy. While his health and long imprisonment invoke sympathy, the court's focus remains on ensuring justice for Shakereh Khaleeli, whose life was tragically cut short.
