New Delhi/Bhubaneswar: Justice delivered. It took over seven years but finally, Nirbhaya, the brave daughter of the country got justice. All the four convicts- Mukesh Singh (32), Pawan Gupta (25), Vinay Sharma (26) and Akshay Kumar Singh (31), were hanged till death at Tihar Jail in Delhi today at 5:30 AM.
Following the execution of the convicts, Nirbhaya’s mother Asha Devi said that her daughter’s soul will now rest in peace. "It was a struggle of eight years. Better late than never, I had struggled a lot to see this day. My daughter's soul will now rest in peace. I would like to thank all the people of the society, especially our daughters and women," she said.
The execution has restored faith in Judiciary and it proved that crime against women will not be tolerated in the country. It will also set an example and check crimes against girls and women, she said adding, "I am proud of my daughter. I am happy that I succeeded in getting justice for her."
"I never missed Nirbhaya as I always felt her presence with me. The pain of my daughter became my strength and it never let me broke down. I will request the government to set up fast-track courts to deliver justice in such rare of the rarest case within one year," she added.
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Death warrants of the four were earlier deferred thrice on the grounds that they had not exhausted all their legal remedies and that the mercy plea of one or the other was placed before the President.
However, all legal routes to escape the noose closed for the four convicted in the Nirbhaya gang rape case after the Delhi High Court dismissed the last-minute plea by them seeking a stay on the execution late last night.
The Delhi HC pulled up the lawyer representing the convicts, Advocate AP Singh while hearing the plea for not adhering to prerequisite technicalities before filing the petition. The HC observed that there was no 'plausible reason' to suspend the execution of the convicts and finally, dismissed the petition.
Also Read: Even If God Asks Me, I Won’t Forgive: Nirbhaya’s Mother
However, the apex court finally dismissed the petition of the death row convict Pawan Gupta against the rejection of his mercy plea by the President and seeking a stay on the execution.
"We will celebrate this day as Nirbhaya Day and this day (March 20) is dedicated to the daughters of the country," said Asha Devi after the SC dismissed the petition.
This was the first time that four men were hanged together in Tihar Jail, South Asia’s largest prison complex that houses more than 16,000 inmates.
The execution took place in the presence of the superintendent, deputy superintendent, medical officer in charge, resident medical officer and the district magistrate along with a guard of around 10 constables, warders and two head constables from the prison armed guard, said sources.
Senior Tihar Jail officials were reportedly busy with the preparations for the execution of all the convicts for the last 36 hours. The Tihar administration also asked for extra security ahead of the execution following which additional police forces were deployed to maintain the law and order situation in and around the premises of the jail.
Taking to social media, PM Narendra Modi said, "Justice has prevailed. It is of utmost importance to ensure dignity & safety of women. Our Nari Shakti has excelled in every field. Together, we have to build a nation where focus is on women empowerment & on equality and opportunity."
Delhi Commission for Women chairperson Swati Maliwal on Friday called the hanging of Nirbhaya rape and murder convicts a victory for the whole nation, adding now we should work for a stronger system.
"Today, the justice has been delivered after a long wait of seven years. Nirbhaya's mother struggled a lot for justice. The whole nation took to streets, fasted, and were beaten. This is the victory of the whole country. Now we have to create a strong system in the country. I believe change will surely come. Satyamev Jayate," she said.
Read More: Smriti Irani Urged To Name Nirbhaya Convicts’ Hanging As Rape Prevention Day
On December 16, 2012, the 23-year old paramedical student was raped by six men in a moving bus in the national capital. She later succumbed to her injuries while undergoing treatment.
The incident had led to widespread resentment across the country. People hit streets demanding the arrest and execution of the accused. Police soon arrested the six persons including a minor in connection to the crime.
While one of the arrested accused, Ram Singh allegedly committed suicide in Tihar Jail in March 2013, another convicted juvenile was sentenced to three years of punishment in a reform home and later released in 2015 as per the Juvenile Justice Act.
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