The controversy over US President Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden getting presidential pardon is deepening. Hunter was sentenced in two criminal cases, but Biden pardoned him using his powers as President.

Although Biden has said in his defense that the case against his son was politically motivated, the US has a long history of granting presidential pardons to close associates.

Joe Biden has used the powers of pardon 26 times so far during his tenure. Whereas Donald Trump has given presidential pardon 143 times and Barack Obama has given 212 times.

Trump has also granted clemency

America's newly elected President Donald Trump may be criticizing the pardon given to Hunter Biden and calling it an abuse of power, but the truth is that when Trump was the President, he had pardoned his son-in-law's father Charles Kushner.

Not only in America, but in the entire world including India, the President (or Head of State) has the power to grant pardon. However, its limits are decided according to the constitution of different countries.

What does the US Constitution say?

According to the US Constitution, 'the President can pardon or reduce the punishment for any crime committed against America.' However, the case of impeachment is kept separate from this.

In America, the President's power to grant pardon is very wide. But there is a catch in this that pardon can be issued only in cases of federal crimes. But if a case is going on at the provincial level, then the power to grant pardon lies with the Governor of the concerned state.

Rules are different in India

However, the power of pardon that the President has in India is slightly different from that of America. The powers of pardon are mentioned in Article 72 of the Indian Constitution. According to this, the President has the power to pardon, give relief in the punishment or to end or reduce the death sentence of any person convicted of a crime.

However, the President of India cannot exercise the power of pardon independently of the government. He has to work only on the advice of the Council of Ministers. At the same time, the powers of pardon of the Governor are also mentioned in Article 161 of the Constitution.

The President can also grant pardon in case of court martial or death sentence, but the Governor does not have this power.

What is the Hunter Biden case?

Actually, there were two federal criminal cases going on against Hunter Biden. The first case is related to giving false information about drug use and buying a gun. For this, he was convicted in June.

In September, Hunter pleaded guilty to tax evasion charges. He could have faced a maximum sentence of 25 years for buying the gun and 17 years for tax evasion.

Obama pardons 212 cases

According to a report, Donald Trump had issued 237 pardons during his 4-year tenure, in which the sentence was reduced in 94 cases. While the sentence was pardoned in 143 cases.

Barack Obama issued a total of 1927 pardons during his 8-year tenure, out of which the sentence was pardoned in 212 cases. At the same time, the sentence was changed in 1715 cases.

A case is also going on against Donald Trump

When the pardon given to Hunter Biden is mentioned, a question arises whether Donald Trump can be pardoned in the porn star case? The answer is - no. Actually, this case of Donald Trump is going on at the provincial level. In such a situation, even after taking oath, he will not be able to pardon himself.