Article 161 Pardoning Power Explained
Article 161 of the Indian Constitution empowers the Governor of a State with specific clemency provisions.
This power allows the Governor to grant pardons, reprieves, respites, or remissions of punishment for any offence against a State law.
Types of Clemency Powers:
- Pardon: Frees the convict completely from the sentence and disqualifications.
- Reprieve: Temporarily postpones the execution of a sentence, especially a death sentence.
- Respite: Awards a lesser sentence for special reasons, like physical disability.
- Remission: Reduces the period of the sentence without changing its nature.
The Governor's power under Article 161 is limited to offences related to subjects covered by State List and Concurrent List (as applicable to the State). It does not apply to death sentences (except where the Governor can grant reprieves) or court-martial offences.
The President holds similar, but broader, powers under Article 72 of the Constitution. Based on the text of Article 161, the correct authority is the Governor.
Similar Questions
- Which article of the Constitution of India is related to the appointment of a Governor?
- Which of the following Union Territories has a legislative assembly?
- Which of the following states has more than one seat in the Lok Sabha?
- As of October 2020, how many Indian states have bicameral legislatures?
- Rythu Bandhu scheme is the scheme of which of the following states?
- As per the Constitution of India, which of the following is NOT an eligibility criteria for the appointment of a State Governor?
- Which of the following is the first state of India to pass a law to curb lynching cases?
- Which of the following is NOT a correct statement?
- Which of the following State has announced to enact legislation for the 'right to water' to ensure availability of minimum 55 litres water in a day per person?
- Name the state government that announced its decision to ban production, distribution, advertisement and sale of e-cigarette within its territory in May 2019?
Important Questions from State Government
Under Article 191 of the Constitution of India, a person shall be disqualified for being chosen as, and for being, a member of the Legislative Assembly or Legislative Council of a state if the person holds any office of profit under:
1. the Government of India.
2. any State Government.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Who has the power to recommend the dismissal of the state government and suspension or dissolution of the state assembly?
Which State Assembly passed the resolution on Sarna Code in November 2020?
Which of the following Articles of the Indian Constitution provides for a bicameral Parliament of India?
The total number of Ministers, including the Chief Minister, in the Council of Ministers in a State shall NOT exceed __________ of the total number of members of the Legislative Assembly of that State.
