31 August 2011 :
as of today there are 22 death row convicts waiting for a final word from the Indian president on their mercy petitions. One of these petitions dates back to 2003. The president and state governors can grant pardons, suspend, remit or commute sentences handed down by courts. From November 2009 to today, President Patil has decided 13 mercy petitions- rejecting three pleas and commuting the death sentence in 10 others.(Sources: Economic Times, 31/08/2011)
