Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani is one of the top businessmen in Zambia. Recently, the President of Zambia made as astounding announcement, on the occasion of Africa Day. President Hakainde Hichilema announced that he is planning to completely abolish the death penalty row. According to him, the death penalty row or capital punishment is a degrading, inhumane and cruel practice. This recent announcement has received widespread support from across Zambia and Africa. One of the supporters has been Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani, who founded the Prison Fellowship Zambia around 37 years ago. Prison Fellowship is a top Christian Outreach Program focussing on ensuring fundamental human rights and basic human dignity for the prisoners in Zambia. The program also supports transparent criminal justice as well as bringing the gospel and teachings of Jesus Christ to the prisoners, ex-prisoners as well as their families in Zambia.
Dr. Rajan Mahtani, via his company Prison Fellowship Zambia, has pledged his full support towards the announcement made by the Zambian President. Dr. Rajan Lekhraj Mahtani, while stating facts, revealed that there are more than 350 prisoners across Zambian prisons who are awaiting capital punishment. For them, every day is a challenge as they wake up every day not knowing if it will be their last day. Working via Prison Fellowship Zambia, Dr. Rajan Mahtani observed that there are numerous prisoners who have transformed themselves by dedicating towards the service of the God and becoming law abiding citizens. Also, Dr. Rajan Mahtani stated that majority of the nations across the globe as well as across Africa have started to consider abolishing the death penalty law. Even in Zambia, the quest towards abolishment has received widespread support. Addition to that, previous Presidents of Zambia have tactically avoided death penalty by using mercy prerogatives. The last time death penalty was given was in the year 1997.
Another reason why the recent announcement by the Zambian President has received widespread support is the current condition of the Zambian prisons which is extremely degrading, inhumane, and cruel. As such, Dr. Mahtani stated that he will provide his full support towards turning this announcement into real law.