'Death for Nirbhaya's convicts': Supreme Court

Hyderabad: The Supreme court on Wednesday confirmed the death penalty for one of the convicts in the Nirbhaya's case in 2012, the latter is known as 'Nirbhaya'. The apex court, dismissing the review petition of the convict, said there is no ground to review the verdict. The court had earlier dismissed the review petition of the three accused.

The court has given a week's time Akshay Thakur, one of the convicts to plead for mercy before the President. It is to note that, the President during a formal function said that mercy petition in brutal rape cases should not be encouraged.

The Bench comprising of three judges sat down, on December 18 to hear the arguments. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, contesting the convict's petition said. 'The convict doesn't deserve any lenience. God would feel ashamed of creating such a monster. There are certain crimes where 'humanity cries' and this case is one of them,".

While all the four have exhausted their review petitions. Dismissing today's petition filed on behalf of Akshay Thakur, the three-judge Bench said "Review petition is not re-hearing of appeal over and over again,".

Meanwhile, Nirbhaya's mother, who was present for the hearing said, "I am 'Very happy' with the outcome. I feel we are a step closer to justice. The judgement is awaited by the country".

The 23-year-old paramedic student was gang-raped and brutally assaulted on a moving bus in south Delhi on December 16, 2012, before being dumped on the road, naked and critically injured.

She died on December 29 in Singapore.