Delay in deciding mercy plea is a relevant ground for commuting death sentence to life imprisonment, the SC ruled.    

Death sentence of a condemned prisoner cannot be executed if he is suffering from mental illness and schizophrenia and must be commuted to life imprisonment, the apex court ruled, adding, "Solitary confinement of a death convict and other prisoners is unconstitutional'.  

A death convict must be hanged within 14 days after dismissal of his mercy petition, the top court ruled.  

"Death convict and his family members must be informed after his mercy plea is rejected by the President or governor, the apex court also said.   "Legal aid be provided inside jail to the condemned prisoners', it also ruled.    

The apex court also commuted the death sentence of four aides of forest brigand Veerappan to life term on ground of delay in deciding their mercy plea by the government.