Orissa HC faces criticism for commuting death sentence of a rapist, citing his habit of namaz many times

Lawyers question whether frequent prayers offered by a 36-year-old death row convict, convicted of raping and murdering a six-year-old girl, justify commuting his sentence to life imprisonment. Orissa High Court cited the convict's religious devotion and surrender to God in its decision, despite upholding his conviction under IPC and POCSO Act. The court noted his family circumstances and good behavior in prison, arguing against the 'rarest of rare' category for capital punishment.