President rejects mercy plea of Nirbhaya convict Pawan; rapists exhaust all legal remedies

President Ram Nath Kovind has rejected mercy petition of Nirbhaya convict Pawan Gupta on Wednesday. Earlier, Supreme Court had rejected his curative plea on Monday, after which his counsel AP Singh filed mercy petition. As per reports, Ministry of Home Affairs and Delhi government recommended rejection of his mercy plea. Currently, curative and mercy petitions of all 4 convicts have been dismissed. 

On Monday, Patiala House Court deferred execution of all 4 rapists in Nirbhaya rape and murder case until furr orders. In order, Additional Sessions Judge Dharmender Rana cited Pawan’s pending mercy plea as one of reasons for putting off hanging. Moreover, he highlighted  Delhi Prison Rules that mandate a buffer period of 14 days between  receipt of communication of rejection of mercy petition and day of execution.  

Read: 'People Losing Faith In Judiciary': Asha Devi After Execution Of Convicts Deferred Again

What is Nirbhaya rape and murder case?  

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

Read: Nirbhaya Case: HC Declines To Entertain Plea Seeking Direction To NHRC To Assess Health Of Convicts

'y are misusing law' 

After Patiala House Court deferred execution of death warrants, Nirbhaya's mor Asha Devi expressed her anguish. She alleged that convicts were misusing law. Furrmore, she added that repeated postponing of hanging showcased failure of system. 

Asha Devi remarked, "y are misusing law and government should look into it, how many times court will postpone its own decision?  way execution of convicts is getting delayed, it is making an impact on society and people w are  losing hope in judiciary." She added, "Why is court taking so much time to execute its own order to hang convicts? Repeated postponing of execution shows failure of our system. Our entire system supports criminals."

Read: Nirbhaya's Rapists Continue To Find Loopholes In Legal Process: Priyanka Chaturvedi

Read: 'How Long Will Nirbhaya's Family Bear Drama Of This Courtroom?': Sirsa Slams Delay Tactics