Annual Statistic Reports 2022
The report “Death Penalty in India: Annual Statistics 2022” aims to provide a detailed, empirical overview of the use of the death penalty in India during the year 2022. Its objective is to analyse trends in the imposition and review of death sentences across different levels of the judiciary, including trial courts, High Courts, and the Supreme Court. The report seeks to highlight patterns in sentencing, examine the application of the “rarest of rare” doctrine, and assess whether constitutional safeguards and fair trial standards are being followed. It also intends to contribute to policy and legal debates by presenting reliable data on capital punishment and identifying systemic issues in its administration.
Process
The report adopts a comprehensive methodology combining data collection, verification, and supplementary research. It primarily identifies death sentence cases by tracking media reports in English and Hindi across the country. These cases are then verified through court records, including judgments from High Courts and trial courts available on official websites. To ensure greater accuracy and completeness, the researchers also utilise information obtained through Right to Information (RTI) applications filed with state authorities such as Home Departments and Governor Secretariats. Additionally, the report analyses judgments from appellate courts to understand sentencing trends and reasoning. It acknowledges certain limitations, including delays in the availability of court records, incomplete responses to RTI requests, and lack of uniform official data, but maintains that the dataset presented is largely comprehensive and reliable.
