Background: Gopal Vinayak Godse, convicted for conspiring in Mahatma Gandhi's assassination on January 30, 1948, was sentenced to life imprisonment under Sections 302 and 120B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) . While his co-conspirators, Nathuram Godse and Narayan Apte, were executed, Gopal received a life term. After serving 15 years, he petitioned for release, claiming life imprisonment equated to 14 years as per Indian law. Key Issue: The main question was: Does life imprisonment mean 14 years, 20 years, or the convict's entire natural life under Indian law? Godse’s Argument: Under Section 55 IPC , life imprisonment should mean 20 years. Section 57 IPC interprets a life sentence as 14 years for practical purposes. Having served over 14 years, he argued for release. State’s Counterpoint: Life imprisonment spans the convict’s entire natural life , barring executive remission. The power to reduce sentences lies solely with the government , not the convict. Supreme...
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