Nirbhaya Case: International Commission of Jurists condemns execution of rapists, urges govt to abolish death penalty

The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) on Friday condemned the hanging of the four men convicted for Nirbhaya’s gangrape and murder. ICJ also asked India to denounce death penalty.  Quoting senior lawyer Vrinda Grover, the ICJ pointed out  “In 2013, the criminal laws were amended; however, seven years later the graph of rapes has not diminished". It also quoted the UN Human Rights Committee's stance on respect for 'Right to life'. Incidentally, the rapists' lawyer AP Singh had approached the ICJ to stay the execution. 

The case saw a long court battle for seven years, but ultimately - the mercy petitions and curative petitions of all four convicts were dismissed by the President and Supreme Court respectively. The Patiala House Court ordered that the convicts be hanged on March 20 at 5:30 AM after issuing a fresh death warrant which was the fourth such date after the previous three dates  were deferred by petitions filed by the convicts.A 23-year-old paramedic student Nirbhaya was gang-raped inside a running bus by six persons on December 16, 2012, in Delhi. The victim was severely assaulted and thrown out on the road along with her male friend and succumbed to injuries a few days later.