Consider the following statements with regard to pardoning power of the President of India

Consider the following statements with regard to pardoning power of the President of India

Q. Consider the following statements with regard to pardoning power of the President of India:

I. The exercise of this power by the President can be subjected to limited judicial review.
II. The President can exercise this power without the advice of the Central Government.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) I only      (b) II only
(c) Both I and II      (d) Neither I nor II

66. भारत के राष्ट्रपति की क्षमा प्रदान करने की शक्ति के बारे में, निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार कीजिए:

I. राष्ट्रपति द्वारा इस शक्ति का प्रयोग सीमित न्यायिक पुनर्विलोकन के अधीन लाया जा सकता है।
II. राष्ट्रपति इस शक्ति का प्रयोग केन्द्र सरकार की सलाह के बगैर कर सकता है।

उपर्युक्त कथनों में से कौन-सा/कौन-से सही है/हैं?

(a) केवल I
(b) केवल II
(c) I और II दोनों
(d) न तो I और न ही II

Answer: (a)

Explanation:

  • Statement I is correct: Under Article 72, the President can grant pardon, reprieve, respite, remission, suspension, or commutation of punishment.
  • This power is not absolute. The Supreme Court in Epuru Sudhakar v. Government of Andhra Pradesh (2006) and Kehar Singh v. Union of India (1989) held that the court cannot review the merits of the pardon itself.
  • However, the judiciary can examine the manner in which the power is exercised, such as cases involving mala fide intention, arbitrariness, irrelevant considerations, or non-application of mind.
  • Hence, limited judicial review of the President’s pardoning power is allowed.
  • Statement II is not correct: According to Article 74(1) of the Constitution, there shall be a Council of Ministers with the Prime Minister at the head to aid and advise the President.
  • Therefore, the President is constitutionally bound to act on the advice of the Council of Ministers while exercising pardoning powers under Article 72 and cannot act independently.

Source: Constitution of India