Nirbhaya's rapists to be hanged on January 22 at 7am

New Delhi: In a major development on Tuesday (January 7), Delhi's Patiala House Court issued death warrant against four convicts in Nirbhaya gang rape case.

As per the warrant, all the convicts will be hanged on January 22 at 7 am. The verdict comes seven years post the horrific rape incident in the National Capital that shook the entire nation.

The convicts, however, have been granted leave to file a curative petition before SC & or mercy petition before the President prior to that. They can use their legal remedies within 14 days. The four convicts Mukesh Singh, Pawan Gupta, Vinay Sharma and Akshay Singh were informed about the order via video conferencing.

After the verdict, father of 2012 Delhi gang-rape victim, Badrinath Singh said, "I am happy with the court's decision. This decision will instill fear in people who commit such crimes. The change has definitely come after whatever happened with our daughter."

The order was passed by Additional Sessions Judge Satish Arora pursuant to a plea that was filed by Nirbhaya’s parents to expedite the execution of the conivcts.

Meanwhile, an emotional Asha Devi, mother of the victim who was also present in the court said, "My daughter has got justice. Execution of the convicts will empower the women of the country."

Delhi Commission for Women chief Swati Maliwal described it a win for the entire 'Nirbhaya of the country.' She said, "I strongly welcome this decision. It is a win for all the 'Nirbhayas' living in this country. I salute Nirbhaya's parents who fought for seven long years."

"Why has it taken seven years to punish these people? Why can't this time period be reduced?" Swati added further, who was recently on a 13-day hunger strike protesting against the rape incidents in the country and demanded capital punishment for convicts in rape cases within six months.

Meanwhile, AP Singh, who is representing Nirbhaya's convicts said that they will move the Top Court and file curative petition. "We will be filing a curative petition in the Supreme Court within a day or two. There has been pressure of media, public and political pressure too in this case, since the beginning because of which unbiased probe could not take place," he said.

In today's hearing, Amicus Curiae Vrinda Grover informed the court that convicts Mukesh and Vinay have expressed their desire to file a curative petition before the Supreme Court. However, Prosecutor pressed for issuance of a death warrant since at present, neither any petition was pending before any Court nor any mercy pleas have been preferred by the convicts. After hearing both the sides, the court reserved the order and announced it at 3:30 pm.

On December 16, 2012, six men in Delhi had brutally gang-raped a young woman in a moving bus. Later, the victim was named 'Nirbhaya' who lost a hard-fought battle as she succumbed to her injuries. The six accused in the case were apprehended by the police and later convicted by the court.

Of the six accused, the main accused committed suicide in Tihar jail while the juvenile accused was sentenced to three years in a remand home upon conviction and later released after three years. The remaining four were handed death penalty today. After the court issued death warrant, all four convicts have been shifted to condemned cell in Tihar jail where they will be hanged.