First time since 2004, president clears for execution

For the first time since 2004, when the go ahead was given for the execution of Dhanjay Chatterjee, the President has given the nod for an execution.

President Pratibha Patil has rejected the mercy petition of Mahendra Nath Das who has been found guilty of murdering Hara Kanta Das.

The big question, however, is whether this will be the start of a process where several individuals on death row are actually executed.