Presidents as well as the Governors possess power to grant
pardon {ref: Arts. 72,161}
Pardon rescinds
(abrogates or revokes) both the sentence and the conviction and absolve the
offender from all punishment and disqualifications.
Commutation
merely substitutes one form of punishment for another of a lighter character.
Remission reduces
the amount of sentence without changing its character.
Respite means
awarding a lesser sentence instead of the penalty prescribed in view of
pregnancy of a woman offender etc.
Reprieve means a
stay of execution of a sentence, e.g. pending a proceeding for pardon or
commutation.
Comparison between
pardoning Powers of the President and a Governor
President has the power to grant pardon, reprieve, respite,
suspension, remission or commutation, in respect of punishment or sentence by
court-martial. Governor has no such power.
President’s powers extend up to the executive power of the
union Governor’s powers extent up to the executive power of the state.
Governor has no power to pardon in case of sentence of
death, but he can suspend, remit or commute a sentence of death. Only President
can Pardon a death sentence. Emergency power:
The president has extraordinary powers to deal with a
situation of emergency.
Miscellaneous powers:
