Nirbhaya convicts to be hanged on March 3
Patiala House Court of Delhi has issued a new death warrant for the culprits in the Nirbhaya rape and murder case. According to the new death warrant, all the culprits will now be hanged at 6 am on March 3. Before this, the death warrant of the convicts has been issued twice. The date of hanging was first fixed on 22 January. The second date of hanging was fixed on 1 February. However, the lawyer of the convicts had it canceled by applying legal stipulation. Nirbhaya’s mother Asha Devi expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision. Talking to news agency ANI, she said, ‘I am not very happy, because this is the third time when a death warrant was issued. We have struggled a lot so far, so I am satisfied that the death warrant has finally been issued. I hope they (the culprits) will be hanged on 3 March.
Earlier, Additional Sessions Judge Dharmendra Rana reserved his order after the hearing. During the hearing, Mukesh Kumar Singh among the four convicts told the court that he does not want advocate Vrinda Grover to defend him. Earlier, the court appointed advocate Ravi Kazi to present his case. The court was also informed that Vinay Sharma, the other accused in the case, is on hunger strike in Tihar Jail. Vinay’s lawyer told the court that he was attacked in the jail and he suffered a head injury.
Vinay’s lawyer also said that he is suffering from serious mental illness so he cannot be hanged. The court then directed the Superintendent of Tihar Jail to take proper care of Vinay as per law. Counsel for another convict Pawan Gupta told the court that his client wants to file a corrective petition in the Supreme Court and a mercy petition before the President.
Pawan Gupta is the only convict among the four convicts who have not yet filed a corrective petition. This is the last legal option for anyone who is decided in the chamber. Pawan Gupta also has the option to apply for mercy. Akshay Thakur’s lawyer told the court that he has prepared a new mercy petition which will be given to the President.
The court was hearing the pleas of Nirbhaya’s parents and the Delhi government, seeking a fresh date for the execution of the four accused in the murder. The Supreme Court had given permission to the authorities that they can go to the lower court to demand a new date for the execution of these criminals.
