India's highest judiciary, the Supreme Court, Wednesday stayed for at least six months the execution of four former gang members of a slain forest brigand, just days after President Pranab Mukherjee rejected their clemency pleas.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Justice Altamas Kabir put on hold the death sentences of sandalwood bandit Veerappan's four former gang members who are all currently lodged at the Belgaum Central Jail in the southern state of Karnataka.

Veerappan was killed in an encounter with the police some years back.

His four former gang members -- Gnana Prakasam, Simon, Meesakaara Madiah and Bilavendran -- are on death row for nine years after being convicted of killing 22 people, including five policemen, in a landmine blast in 1993.

They had filed their pleas before the apex court Monday, saying their death sentences be commuted to life in prison as there has been an inordinate delay on the part of the Indian President in deciding on their mercy petitions, pending since 2004, which has caused them serious mental agony.

India rarely executes inmates on death row. But, there has been two executions in a span of three months, after President Mukherjee, who took office last year, rejected their clemency petitions.

Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab, the only militant caught alive in 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, was hanged in November last year, while the main conspirator in 2001 Parliament attacks, Afzal Guru, was executed earlier this month.