Friday, December 13, 2019

Hanging of convicts in Nirbhaya case not likely in next few days

Somreet.Bhattacharya@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:13.12.2019

The hanging of the four Nirbhaya gang rape and murder case convicts may be imminent but it’s unlikely to take place in the next few days. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a review petition filed by one of the convicts, Akshay Singh, on December 17, although the 30-day window for filing mercy pleas is now over, Tihar Jail authorities said.

The jail authorities also have to give a 14-day period to the convicts to “mentally prepare” for the execution, write a will , etc.

Earlier this week, a review petition filed by one of the convicts, Pawan Gupta, was rejected by the apex court. Another convict, Vinay Sharma, who had appealed to the President, later withdrew the plea claiming that he did not sign it. He also sought for a permission to file a fresh plea. Speaking to TOI, former Tihar jailer Sunil Gupta explained that unlike in the past, jail authorities now have to follow jail rules drafted after the hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. Under this, the convicts will be granted a provision to seek a curative petition even after the mercy plea to the President is rejected. The petition is, however, subject to its admission by the court.

Gupta, who served as a jailor and legal officer with Tihar Jail since 1981 and has witnessed 14 hangings, including that of Afzal Guru, said the new prison rules, prepared on the basis of a petition by Shatrugan Chauhan, allow the death row convicts to meet their family, who will have to be clearly informed about the rejection of the mercy pleas, in writing well in advance of the hanging.

Tihar prepares to execute 4 together

For the first time, Tihar Jail authorities are preparing to execute four death row convicts together in the Nirbhaya case. Sources said a new technique is being tested to fit four nooses in the existing gallows with some design changes.

› Death sentence, P 14

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