Nirbhaya: Convicts’ Bodies Handed Over to Families for Last Rites
Catch all the live updates on Nirbhaya gang-rape case here.
Bodies of the four Nirbhaya gang rape and murder convicts were handed over to their respective families for last rites on Friday, 20 March after the post-mortem was conducted at the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital, said jail officials.
“Justice has prevailed,” tweeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, hours after the Nirbhaya convicts were hanged to death at 5:30 am on Friday, 20 March.
All four convicts in the Nirbhaya gang rape and murder case – Pawan Kumar Gupta, Mukesh, Vinay and Akshay – were declared dead by a doctor after examination, said Tihar jail authorities.
Nirbhaya, a 23-year-old paramedic student was brutally gang-raped on 16 December, 2012.
- In a first, four people have been hanged together in Tihar jail
- Their bodies of the convicts have been taken for post-mortem
- The Delhi High Court heard an urgent late-night plea moved by the convicts’ lawyer AP Singh, challenging the trial court’s order which refused to stay the execution
- Earlier on Thursday, the Supreme Court dismissed the curative petition of convict Pawan Gupta claiming juvenility
Nirbhaya: Convicts Bodies Handed Over to Families for Last Rites
Bodies of the four Nirbhaya gang rape and murder convicts were handed over to their respective families for last rites on Friday, 20 March after the post-mortem was conducted at the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital, said jail officials, reported PTI.
Hanging of Nirbhaya Convicts a 'Dark Stain' on India's Human Rights Record: Amnesty
Death penalty is never the solution towards ending violence against women, rights group Amnesty International India said on Friday, calling the execution of the four Nirbhaya case convicts a "dark stain" on India's human rights record.
Justice Has Prevailed: PM Modi on Nirbhaya Convicts' Hanging
Nirbhaya Convicts' Hanging A Message to Every Criminal: Smriti Irani
Union Minister for Women & Child Development said that she greeted this day with aplomb that “justice has finally been done” to Nirbhaya.
Nirbhaya's Parents, Lawyer Show Victory Sign
Nirbhaya’s parents – Asha Devi, Badrinath Singh – and their lawyer Seema Kushwaha show victory sign after the convicts were hanged till death, post a 7-year-long legal battle.
Bodies of Convicts Sent for Postmortem
The bodies of 2012 Delhi gang rape case convicts brought to DDU Hospital for post-mortem, after which it will be handed over to their respective families.
The families of convicts will have to give an undertaking in writing that they will not make a public demonstration of any kind in relation to the cremation or burial of the bodies, reported ANI.
Took Seven Years But Justice Is Delivered: Kejriwal
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that it took seven years but “justice was delivered,” after all four convicts in the Nirbhaya gang rape and murder, were hanged to death.
“It took 7 yrs for justice to be delivered. Today, we have to take a pledge that a similar incident does not happen again. We've seen how the convicts manipulated the law until recently. There are a lot of loopholes in our system, we need to improve the system,” said Kejriwal.
Set An Example By Hanging Rape Convicts: NCW Chief Rekha Sharma
Chairperson of National Commission for Women (NCW) Rekha Sharma said that India has set an example by hanging the Nirbhaya rape convicts and that it could have been done earlier.
“An example has been set today but it could have been done earlier. Now people know that they will be punished, you may extend the date but you will get punished,” said Sharma.
Meanwhile, Delhi Commission for Women Chairperson Swati Maliwal said that Nirbhaya’s soul must have found peace.
“It's a historic day, Nirbhaya got justice after over seven years, her soul must have found peace today. Country has given a strong message to rapists that if you commit this crime you will be hanged,” said Maliwal.
'Today Is Dedicated to Daughters Of the Country': Asha Devi
Nirbhaya’s mother Asha Devi thanked the judiciary and government, stating that her family has “finally got justice.”
'Wait For Justice Painful & Agonising': Nirbhaya's Father
“Our wait for justice was painful and agonising,” Nirbhaya's father reacted, after the hanging of all four convicts in the rape and murder case.
Nirbhaya Convicts Hanged 7 Years After Brutal Rape & Murder
All four convicts in the Nirbhaya gang rape and murder case – Pawan Kumar Gupta, Mukesh, Vinay and Akshay – hanged to death at 5:30 am on Friday, 20 March.
Nirbhaya Convicts to Be Hanged Shortly
All four 2012 Delhi gang rape death row convicts have been brought to the gallows where they will be hanged shortly, officials tell ANI.
Security Tightened Outside Tihar Jail
Security tightened outside Tihar jail, where the four 2012 Delhi gang-rape death row convicts will be hanged shortly.
'All 4 Convicts Are Fit and Fine, Jail to Be Under Lockdown': Tihar Officials
“The medical of all four death row convicts is completed, all are fit and fine. Jail to be under lockdown till the process of hanging is completed,” Tihar jail officials told ANI.
They added that the executioner has woken up and a meeting is underway with jail officials.
'Finally the Convicts Will Be Hanged': Nirbhaya's Mother Reacts to SC Order
Reacting to the Supreme Court’s dismissal of the convicts’ plea, Nirbhaya’s mother Asha Devi said, “Finally the convicts will be hanged, the petition in Supreme Court has been dismissed.
“I would like to thank all the people of the society, especially our daughters and women,” she added, according to ANI.
SC Refuses to Pass Order Allowing Family to Meet Convicts for the Last Time
AP Singh, advocate of death row convicts, asked the Supreme Court to allow family members of the convicts to meet them for the last time for 5-10 minutes, ANI reported.
However, the SC refused to pass any order in this regard and said it will leave the matter to Solicitor General Tushar Mehta.
SC Dismisses Pawan Gupta's Plea, Convicts to Hang at 5:30 am
The Supreme Court, in an early morning hearing on Friday, 20 March, dismissed the final attempt by Nirbhaya convicts to stay the execution, saying there are no grounds for Pawan Gupta's petition to review the President's rejection of his second mercy plea.
'I Know They Will Hang, but Can Execution Be Stayed for 2-3 Days': Lawyer
“I know they will be hanged but can it (execution) be stayed for two-three days to record (convict Pawan's) statement?” AP Singh, advocate of death row convicts, said in the Supreme Court, ANI reported.
'Not Inclined to Entertain the Plea': SC Hears Convict Pawan Gupta's Petition Against Mercy Plea Rejection
A Supreme Court bench of Justices R Banumathi. Ashok Bhushan and AS Bopanna has begun hearing the petition of death row convict Pawan Gupta against the rejection of his mercy plea by the President and seeking a stay on execution, ANI reported.
Gupta claimed juvenility, to which the bench replied, “Allow us to pass the order. We are not inclined to entertain the plea.”
Solicitor General, Nirbhaya's Parents Arrive at the Supreme Court
Parents of Nirbhaya, the 2012 gang-rape victim, have arrived at Supreme Court, ANI reports. SC will shortly hear the petition by four death row convicts, seeking a stay on their execution after the HC dismissed their petition.
The solicitor general of India, Tushar Mehta, has also reportedly arrived.
Advocate For Convicts Arrives at Residence of Registrar
AP Singh, advocate for the convicts has arrived at the residence of Supreme Court Registrar.
“We are seeking urgent hearing and stay on the death warrant. We are filing the petition in the Supreme Court, the court is open and working,” he said, according to ANI.
What Happens Now?
'Lot of Time Was Given to Convicts': Nirbhaya's Mother Enroute SC
Asha Devi, Nirbhaya’s mother says a lot of time was given to victims to file pleas.
“Convicts were given a lot of time, many pleas were filed to delay the execution. Their plea has been dismissed in High Court, we are going to Supreme Court, it will be dismissed there too. Convicts will be hanged this morning,” she said.
'Will Go to SC': Lawyer of Convicts
AP Singh, advocate of 2012 Delhi gang-rape convicts says, “I will go to Supreme Court when I get the order copy. I have spoken to Registrar, I will go to him.”
Nirbhaya: Another Convicts’ Lawyer Argues in Late-Night Hearing
Another lawyer Shams Khawaja, appearing for convicts, has begun making submissions.
Khwaja said, “the President of India at an event made public his sentiments that death row convicts in sexual assault cases do not deserve mercy. He was prejudiced against us even before the first mercy plea.”
“This is not the time to argue on merits,” said the Court. “These points were not raised,” replied Khawaja.
To this, the court said, “You can ask yourself why these points weren't raised.”
Poster Outside Tihar Jail Ahead of Execution of Nirbhaya Convicts
Poster put outside Tihar Jail hours ahead of execution of 2012 Delhi gang rape case convicts.
'You Have 4-5 Hrs, Come to the Point': Court Tells AP Singh
Delhi High Court told AP Singh, “We're close to the time when your client will meet the God. Don't waste time. We'll not be able to help you in the eleventh hour if you cannot raise an important point. You have only 4-5 hours. If you have a point then come to it.”
“We find no foundation in your plea,” the Court further told Singh.
AP Singh Argues on 'Pending' Pleas, Judge Says 'Matter Reached Finality'
Convicts lawyer AP Singh said, “One petition is also pending before NHRC. How can the hanging happen when all these petitions are pending?”
He also talked about divorce case filed by convict Akshay's wife in Bihar. “How is divorce case relevant?” asked Justice Manmohan.
Justice Manmohan further stated that the death warrant cannot cease to exist, adding that the matter has attained “finality.” However, AP Singh went on to say, “My clients are victims of media trial.”
The Court has told advocate AP Singh to talk only on legal points, saying, “we are not understanding what arguments you are making here.”
'No Photocopy Machine Working Due to Coronavirus': AP Singh on Petition
Appearing for the convicts, advocate AP Singh said,”the trial court had wrongly dismissed his stay application today.” To which, Justice Manmohan, said, “How do you expect us to take this up, its a shoddy petition.”
During the hearing, the court further said, “There is no annexure, no affidavits, no memo of parties. There is nothing in this matter. Do you (AP Singh) have permission to file this plea? Singh replies, “No photo copy machine was working due to coronavirus.”
The court continued, “You (Advocate AP Singh) have done three courts today. You can't say that things are not accessible. We are here at 10 pm listening to you.”
Bench Headed by Justice Manmohan, Sanjeev Narula Begins Hearing the Appeal
A Division Bench headed by Justice Manmohan and Sanjeev Narula is now hearing an appeal filed by Nirbhaya convicts against the order of sessions Judge refusing to stay the death warrant against them.
While, Delhi Standing Counsel Rahul Mehra representing Tihar Jail authorities, the convicts are represented by lawyer AP Singh. Nirbhaya's parents also there.
Nirbhaya: Delhi Court to Hear Urgent Plea by Convicts’ Lawyer
Delhi High Court to hear shortly an urgent plea moved by the convicts lawyer AP Singh, challenging the trial court's order which refused to stay the execution of death warrant tomorrow.
Tihar Jail Gets Ready Ahead of Execution of Nirbhaya Convicts
Seven years after the execution of Afzal Guru, Tihar Jail on Thursday prepared the ground to hang the four men convicted in the Nirbhaya gang rape and murder case after several dummy runs and officials brushing up on details specified in the jail manual.
This is the first time that four men will be hanged together in Tihar Jail, South Asia's largest prison complex that houses more than 16,000 inmates. A senior prison official said Pawan Jallad, a hangman from Meerut, reported to the Tihar Jail administration on Tuesday evening to prepare for the exercise, reported PTI.
'Now I Will Get Peace': Asha Devi on Convicts' Execution
After Delhi’s Patiala court rejected the application seeking stay on execution of the convicts, Nirbhaya’s mother Asha Devi told PTI, “Finally the convicts will be hanged. Now I will get peace.”
No Legal Remedies of Nirbhaya Convicts Pending, Delhi Court Told
The Delhi court on Thursday was told that no legal remedies of any of the four convicts in the Nirbhaya gang rape and murder case were pending in any of the four courts.
“No legal remedies are pending as of now. Pawan and Akshay's second mercy was also not entertained by the President of India,” Public Prosecutor Irfan Ahmad told the court.
“My friend can move 100 applications, but these are not strictly legal remedies,” he added.
Supreme Court Dismisses Pleas by Nirbhaya Convicts Mukesh and Akshay Singh
The Supreme Court on Thursday, rejected plea filed by convict Akshay Singh challenging the decision of the President of India rejecting his mercy plea.
Earlier on Thursday, the court was told that no legal remedies of any of the four convicts were pending in any of the courts.
The Supreme Court on Thursday also refused to entertain the plea of convict Mukesh Singh claiming he was not in Delhi when the crime was committed on 16 December 2012.
'What's the Scope of Judicial Review Now?' Asks SC
Convict Akshay's lawyer AP Singh stated, “The rejection of mercy plea will affect a number of persons. It will affect everyone connected to Akshay." He added that there was media pressure in the case which led to miscarriage of justice.
However, Supreme Court said, “You have said you filed a second mercy plea and the President rejected. What is the scope of a judicial review now?“
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