INDIA: ANTONY COMMUTES DEATH PENALTY OF JAWAN

October 31, 2008: an Army jawan in India facing the death penalty for killing an officer had his death sentenced commuted to life imprisonment by Defence Minister A K Antony. "But it is not my personal decision (to commute the death sentence). Before I took a decision, it was recommended by the Army Chief and the Defence Ministry. Only then, I took a decision," Antony said.
Army headquarters sources said the fragging case was related to jawan Ravi Kumar Pola, who was found guilty of firing at his senior officer with a service weapon. The fragging incident took place on September 13, 2006. A court martial found Pola guilty and ordered the death penalty for killing Major Harsh, sources said.
Following the court decision, Army headquarters put it up before its chief General Deepak Kapoor, the confirming authority in the case. General Kapoor recommended to the Defence Ministry that considering the circumstances of the case, the death penalty could be commuted to life imprisonment. (Sources: Sify.com, 31/10/2008)