Yakub Memon hanging: Kanimozhi to move private member’s bill in Rajya Sabha to abolish death penalty

CHENNAI: India should implement a moratorium on death penalty, said DMK leader and Rajya Sabha member Kanimozhi on Thursday.

Reacting to the hanging of 1993 Mumbai blast accused Yakub Memon on Thursday, Kanimozhi said she would move a private member resolution and private member's bill in the Rajya Sabha to abolish death penalty.

"Over 150 countries in the world have abolished death penalty. The UN General Assembly has repeatedly urged countries to abolish this practice. As the Law Commission is debating the issue, Parliament should issue a moratorium on death penalty," she said.

"DMK has opposed death penalty in all cases and favours immediate abolition of this practice. India has witnessed three executions in three years. A lengthy legal process and executive clemency could not prevent the government from taking the life of its own citizens," she said.