Death penalty will prove a deterrent: Delhi Police

The death penalty for four gang rape convicts has boosted the morale of Delhi police, who say that the verdict would prove a great deterrent to avoid similar incidents in future.

Police officials believe that the decision would strengthened people’s belief in criminal justice system and executive.

Soon after the order of death penalty was announced by the court, joint commissioner of police (southeastern range) Vivek Gogia, said the judgment is lesson for the police fraternity. “We will include the good points of judgment and investigations in training modules and it will also be part of lecture series for senior officials,” said Gogia.

Hailing scientific investigation conducted by the police that helped to nail the accused, Gogia said, odontological (teeth) forensic tests conducted at Dharwad laboratories in Karnataka helped to crack the case. “It was probably for the first time such evidence was collected which also proved crucial in the case.”

A team of 100 policemen with eight core members cracked the case in 18 hours, collected scientific evidence and filed 1000-page chargesheet in record three weeks. DNA profiles of the accused were prepared through half-burnt clothes of the victim and articles seized from the bus, which included curtains, seat cover and bunch of hair. Police had further managed to collect dental evidence with bite marks on the victim’s body which proved to be of Ram Singh and Akshay.

Neeraj Kumar, who was heading police force when December 16 rape took place and faced huge media and political criticism, was buoyed by the court’s decision as well.

“The decision vindicates what we did and stood for. I am feeling happy and the team deserves pat on the back,” said Kumar, who survived the full term in office despite huge public uproar and political pressure.