List of people executed in India after 1950

Here is a list of people executed in India after 1950. India uses the death penalty sparingly, and executions are relatively rare, often reserved for the “rarest of rare” cases.

Below is a summary of notable executions, the crimes, and dates:

1. Nathuram Godse and Narayan Apte

Date of Execution: November 15, 1949
Crime: Assassination of Mahatma Gandhi (January 30, 1948).
Note: This occurred just before the formal enforcement of the Indian Constitution in 1950.

Executions Post-1950:

2. Ranga and Billa (Kuljeet Singh and Jasbir Singh)

Date of Execution: January 31, 1982
Crime: Kidnapping and murder of Geeta Chopra (16) and Sanjay Chopra (14) in Delhi (1978).

3. Satwant Singh and Kehar Singh

Date of Execution: January 6, 1989
Crime: Assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi (October 31, 1984).

4. Auto Shankar (Gauri Shankar)

Date of Execution: April 27, 1995
Crime: Serial killings in Tamil Nadu during the 1980s.

5. Dhananjoy Chatterjee

Date of Execution: August 14, 2004
Crime: Rape and murder of Hetal Parekh, a 14-year-old girl, in Kolkata (1990).
Note: First execution in India after the 1995 execution of Auto Shankar.

6. Ajmal Kasab (Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab)

Date of Execution: November 21, 2012
Crime: Participation in the 26/11 Mumbai terrorist attacks (November 26, 2008).
Note: Executed in Pune’s Yerwada Jail.

7. Afzal Guru

Date of Execution: February 9, 2013
Crime: Convicted for his role in the 2001 Indian Parliament attack.
Note: Hanged in Tihar Jail, Delhi.

8. Yakub Memon

Date of Execution: July 30, 2015
Crime: Financing and involvement in the 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts.
Note: Executed in Nagpur Central Jail.

9. The Nirbhaya Case Convicts (Mukesh Singh, Akshay Thakur, Vinay Sharma, Pawan Gupta)

Date of Execution: March 20, 2020
Crime: Gang rape and murder of a 23-year-old woman in Delhi (December 16, 2012).
Note: Execution took place in Tihar Jail, Delhi.

Note: The death penalty in India is rare and generally carried out only after exhausting all legal remedies and clemency petitions, reflecting the country’s complex legal system and commitment to upholding human rights. The imposition of capital punishment is subject to rigorous scrutiny, and it is only in the most heinous and egregious cases that it is considered. Executions are reserved for cases deemed as the “rarest of rare,” a term that underscores the high threshold that must be met for such a severe penalty to be imposed. The method of execution in India is hanging, a practice that has been a part of the legal framework for decades, intended to ensure that the process remains as humane as possible while fulfilling the demands of justice. Despite its availability, public opinion on the death penalty remains divided, with ongoing debates about its effectiveness in deterring crime and the moral implications of state-sanctioned execution.

Bibliography

**1. “Why I Assassinated Gandhi” by Nathuram Godse (Edited by Gopal Godse)**

Publication Date: First published in 1968; revised editions available.
Why Read It: This book provides insights into Nathuram Godse’s motivations behind assassinating Mahatma Gandhi. It contextualizes the first major execution post-independence and sheds light on the political and ideological divisions of the time.

**2. “Justice for the Oppressed: Ranga and Billa Case” by Balraj Madhok**

Publication Date: 1983
Why Read It: This book narrates the infamous case of Ranga and Billa, their heinous crimes, and the trial that followed. It explores public outrage and legal procedures, making it a vital resource for understanding justice delivery in India.

**3. “Indira Gandhi: An Intimate Biography” by Pupul Jayakar**

Publication Date: 1992
Why Read It: While not solely about the execution, this biography details the events surrounding Indira Gandhi’s assassination and the aftermath, including the trial and execution of Satwant Singh and Kehar Singh. It provides a historical-political perspective.

**4. “The Auto Shankar Story” by N. Krishnan**

Publication Date: 1997
Why Read It: This work delves into the chilling tale of Auto Shankar’s crimes and trial, highlighting the systemic failures in curbing organized crime and the complexities of the legal system.

**5. “Dhananjoy Chatterjee: Crime and Justice” by Rajesh Kumar**

Publication Date: 2005
Why Read It: This book examines the controversial case of Dhananjoy Chatterjee, exploring debates around capital punishment, justice for victims, and legal ethics. It is essential for understanding India’s evolving perspective on the death penalty.

**6. “26/11: The Attack on Mumbai” by Hindustan Times**

Publication Date: 2009
Why Read It: A detailed account of the 2008 Mumbai attacks and Ajmal Kasab’s involvement. It is crucial to understand terrorism’s impact on India and the legal system’s response to high-profile terror cases.

**7. “The Hanging of Afzal Guru and the Strange Case of the Attack on the Indian Parliament” by Arundhati Roy**

Publication Date: 2013
Why Read It: This book critically examines the Parliament attack case, Afzal Guru’s trial, and his execution. It offers a dissenting perspective on the case and raises questions about justice, due process, and the political implications of the death penalty.

**8. “The Black Warrant: Confessions of a Tihar Jailer” by Sunil Gupta and Sunetra Choudhury**

Publication Date: 2019
Why Read It: Written by a former Tihar Jail officer, this book provides behind-the-scenes insights into executions, including those of Afzal Guru and the Nirbhaya convicts. It explores the psychological and procedural aspects of carrying out death sentences.

**9. “India’s Daughter” by Leslee Udwin (Documentary and Companion Book)**

Publication Date: 2015 (Documentary release; companion materials followed).
Why Read It: Focused on the Nirbhaya case, this provides an in-depth look at the societal, legal, and political ramifications of the gang rape and subsequent executions. It’s a vital resource for understanding gender-based violence in India.

**10. “Yakub Memon: Scapegoat or Guilty?” by Praful Bidwai**

Publication Date: 2015
Why Read It: This work critically evaluates Yakub Memon’s role in the 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts and the fairness of his trial. It raises questions about justice in the context of terrorism cases.