'Imperishable deterrent': SG Tushar Mehta hails judiciary on Nirbhaya convicts' hanging

Ahead of the hanging of the Nirbhaya rape convicts', Solicitor General Tushar Mehta hailed the judicial system and executive government for ensuring justice for all daughters of the country. The four Nirbhaya rapists had sought a stay in execution, but the Patiala House Court had rejected after which they moved the Delhi High Court. All four convicts are scheduled to be hanged on March 20 at 5:30 am in Tihar jail No. 3.

In an exclusive to Republic TV, SG Mehta termed the hanging of the convicts' as a strong example and said, 

"Our judicial system and the executive government have ensured justice for all daughters of the country. This example will be strong and imperishable deterrent."

READ: Nirbhaya case: Delhi HC rejects convicts' plea challenging their imminent execution

Nirbhaya court proceedings

The mercy petitions and curative petitions of all four convicts -Mukesh Singh, Vinay Sharma, and Akshay Kumar and Pawan Gupta have already been dismissed by the President and the Supreme Court respectively. The Patiala House Court had ordered that the convicts be hanged on March 20 at 5:30 am after issuing fresh death warrants which is the fourth such date after the previous three dates- January 17, January 31 and March 3 were deferred by petitions filed by the convicts.

The convicts are still employing several delay tactics - petitioning for review of the rejection of mercy amid new plea, action against former advocate for the restoration of his legal remedies, stay on execution, criminal conspiracy, moving the International Court of Justice etc.

READ: Nirbhaya case: SC dismisses convict's plea, set be hanged at 5.30 am: LIVE Updates

READ: Nirbhaya Case: 3-judge SC bench dismisses Pawan Gupta's plea against hanging

What is the Nirbhaya case? 

A 23-year-old paramedic student Nirbhaya was gang-raped inside a running bus by six persons on December 16, 2012, in Delhi. The victim was severely assaulted and thrown out on the road along with her male friend and succumbed to injuries a few days later. Out of the six convicts, one reportedly committed suicide in prison, while another, a juvenile, served maximum punishment of three years in a reform home and was set free in 2015. The remaining four rapists were convicted and handed the death penalty by a trial court in 2013, confirmed by the Delhi High Court in March 2014. The Supreme Court upheld the Delhi High Court's verdict in 2017. 

READ: Nirbhaya convicts' counsel intends to approach Supreme Court once Delhi HC order arrives