Nirbhaya Convicts To Be Hanged On March 3 At 6am

New Delhi: The four death-row convicts in Nirbhaya rape and murder case will now be hanged on March 3 at 6 a.m., a local court here announced on Monday.

Additional Sessions Judge Dharmendra Rana pronounced the order on a petition seeking issuance of fresh date for execution of death warrants in the case pertaining to the gang-rape and murder of a 23-year-old woman in the national capital in December 2012.

Earlier today, a Delhi court on Monday appointed advocate Ravi Qazi as the counsel for one of the death-row convicts Mukesh, in the Nirbhaya gang-rape and murder case, after he showed unwillingness to be represented by his counsel, Vrinda Grover.

"If he tells me that he doesn't want to be represented by me, it won't be professional for me to stay on the matter," Amicus Curiae Grover told the court.

Additional Sessions Judge Dharmendra Rana called it "unfortunate" and appreciated Grover for her efforts in giving legal assistance to Mukesh.

Ravi Qazi was also appointed counsel for Pawan last week after his lawyer A.P. Singh recused himself from the case.

Of the four convicts, Pawan has not yet availed the remedy of either curative or mercy petition.

The court was hearing a plea seeking issuance of fresh date for the death warrants in the case.

Expressing satisfaction over the latest court order, Nirbhaya's mother said, "I'm satisfied and happy. I hope the convicts will finally be hanged on March 3," Asha Devi told mediapersons.

The case pertains to the gang-rape and murder of a 23-year-old girl in the national capital in December 2012.

On January 31, a trial court had stayed "till further order" the execution of the four convicts -- Mukesh Kumar Singh (32), Pawan Gupta (25), Vinay Kumar Sharma (26) and Akshay Kumar (31).

Of the four convicts, Pawan has not yet availed the remedy of either curative petition or mercy plea.

(IANS)