Culprit will walk out free by Sunday.
By Sreejith Vallikunnu
The Delhi High court has refused to stay the release of the juvenile convict in the December 16 Nirbhaya case, on Friday.
The juvenile convict will be free on or before December 20, after completion of his 3-year jail term.
“We cannot prohibit juvenile’s release as per the statutory and existing provision of law,” said the court.
Meanwhile, Nirbhaya’s parents, who were dismayed with the court’s decision, said that they will not give up and continue to fight for justice for their daughter.
Speaking to reporters, Nirbhaya’s mother Asha Singh said, “Even after all our efforts, the juvenile convict will now be released. The assurance we were given that we will get justice has not happened. A criminal has been let off.”
She added: “What message is this sending out to the public of the country. All I wanted was justice but crime has won today.”
Nirbhaya’s father said, ”We can’t comment on the high court’s ruling but our fight against this injustice will continue.
“Everyday minors are being raped and gang-raped in Delhi and elsewhere, who will ensure justice to them?” he asked.
Six individuals, including the juvenile, raped the 23-year-old paramedical student in a moving bus in south Delhi on December 16, 2012.
Nirbhaya, a name given to her by the media in India, was returning after watching a movie, with a friend of hers. Her friend was also attacked brutally and subdued on the bus by the men. The victims were later thrown out of the bus. Nirbhaya later died of the injuries she sustained in that attack.
All the accused were arrested and charged with sexual assault and murder. One of the accused, Ram Singh, committed suicide in jail. The minor was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment in a reform home while the other four men were sentenced to death by hanging.
The convict was 17 years old when he was arrested and escaped death row. The mild punishment given to the juvenile had led to a nationwide debate on lowering the age limit for punishment for crimes like rape and murder.