Report No. 35
XII. Abolition in Indian States,
332. Abolition in Indian States.-
Capital punishment was abolished in Travancore and in Cochin in November, 1944. It was re-introduced in 1951 in both the States when (after they became part of the Union of India) the Indian Penal Code became applicable to them. The statistics of murder during the abolition period in those States are inconclusive on the question of deterrence. Those statistics are given below1-2:-
Murders in Travancore and Cochin |
|
Retention |
|
1942 |
121 |
1943 |
112 |
1944 |
123 |
1945 |
133 |
1946 |
148 |
1947 |
168 |
1948 |
203 |
1949 |
140 |
1950 |
164 |
1951 |
188 |
1952 |
165 |
1953 |
200 |
1954 |
171 |
1955 |
129 |
1956 |
114 |
1. Figures for 1945 to 1956 are taken from reply dated.-7-1963 of the Secretary, Home Department, Government of Kerala to the Law Commission's Questionnaire (S. No. 131 in the Law Commission file).
2. Figures for 1942 to 1944 are taken from Ceylon Report, p. 61.
