The Supreme Court, on Wednesday, significantly gave a tight slap on the face of those expecting a review on the verdict awarding death penalty to the convicts in the Nirbhaya Gang Rape & Murder case of 2012. The three-judge bench headed by Justice R Banumathi observed that the contentions raised by one of the four convicts, Akshay Kumar Singh, was already considered while delivering the judgement by the apex court in 2017. The convicts namely Vinay Sharma, Mukesh Singh, Pawan Gupta & Akshay Kumar Singh are awaiting their ‘end’ ordered by the apex court in the Nirbhaya gang rape and murder case in 2017.
While dismissing the review petition filed by Singh, the apex court observed that there are no grounds to review the 2017 judgement. However, countering this comment, the counsel appearing for the convict in the SC appealed for a 3 week time to file the mercy petition before the president.
2012 Delhi gang-rape convict, Akshay Kumar Singh's counsel tells the Supreme Court that convict wants to file mercy petition before the President of India & seeks three weeks time to file it. https://t.co/XI5HmYM8fU
— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2019
To this, the three-judge bench repudiated to allow any more time and said that the mercy petition can be filed within the stipulated time as allowed in the law. This repudiation by the apex court on the review of their death penalty has left the convicts with very less option to escape the death penalty.
The Nirbhaya gang rape victim’s mother expressed her contentment on the SC verdict. “I am very happy,” reacted Nirbhaya’s mother after SC pronounced it’s verdict on Wednesday.
Asha Devi, mother of 2012 Delhi gang-rape victim, to ANI on SC rejects review petition of convict Akshay: I am very happy. (file pic) https://t.co/XI5HmYM8fU pic.twitter.com/U6K3qQXiKa
— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2019
Nirbhaya’s father, however, said that they are not fully satisfied and that until a death warrant is issued, justice isn’t delivered to them. “Supreme Court has rejected the review petition (of one of the convicts – Akshay Kumar Singh). We are still not fully satisfied. Until a death warrant is issued by Patiala House Court, we will not be content,” said Nirbhaya’s father.
Badrinath Singh, father of 2012 Delhi gang rape victim: Supreme Court has rejected the review petition (of one of the convicts – Akshay Kumar Singh). We are still not fully satisfied. Until a death warrant is issued by Patiala House Court, we will not be content. pic.twitter.com/NsmiSx4mXW
— ANI (@ANI) December 18, 2019
