Nirbhaya case: Convicts might file plea against death sentence

Three convicts in the 2012 gang rape and murder case might soon file a curative petition challenging the death penalty, a Delhi court was told on Saturday.

It may be recalled that earlier the apex court that dismissed the review petition filed by the three convicts.

Nirbhaya's parents had filed a plea in the court, requesting them to speed up the process of hanging all convicted and also decide the date of execution. Additional Sessions Judge Anu Grover Baliga on Saturday heard the plea filed by the parents of Nirbhaya seeking death warrant of four convicts without any delay.

Seeking expeditious directions, the plea said that it is the need of the hour and law that the death sentence is executed as early as possible and not delayed any further.

Jitendra Kumar Jha, appearing on behalf of Nirbhaya's parents, in his plea stated that not just the country is awaiting the execution of the capital punishment, but the entire world is also closely watching the Indian judicial system.

The Tihar jail authorities have also been asked to file a status report in the case on the next date of hearing, which is April 6.

Nirbhaya's mother, who was also present during the court proceedings, later said that its been seven years that she has been waiting for justice for her daughter and the courts continue to function at its own pace.

On July 9 last year, the apex court had dismissed the pleas of three convicts -- Mukesh (31), Pawan Gupta (24) and Vinay Sharma (25) -- seeking review of its 2017 verdict upholding the capital punishment awarded to them by the Delhi High Court and the trial court in the case.

The fourth death row convict, Akshay Kumar Singh (33), has not filed a review plea in the apex court.

(with inputs from PTI)