Who among the following has the power to grant pardons under Article 161 of the Constitution of India?

Correct option is D

The Correct Answer is: (d) Governor

Explanation:
Article 161 of the Constitution of India empowers the Governor of a State to grant pardons, reprieves, respites, or remissions of punishment, or to suspend, remit or commute the sentence of any person convicted of any offence against a law relating to a matter to which the executive power of the State extends.

This power is similar to that of the President under Article 72, but it is limited to state laws and does not apply to death sentences (only the President can pardon a death sentence).

Information Booster:
• President’s pardoning power is under Article 72, applicable to central laws and death sentences.
• Governor’s power (Article 161) is limited to state subjects, and cannot pardon death sentences.
• Types of clemency powers: Pardon, Commutation, Remission, Respite, Reprieve.
• Pardoning powers are part of executive functions, not judicial.
• The Governor exercises this power with the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers.
• These provisions aim at providing humanitarian relief and correcting possible miscarriages of justice.