The Supreme Court has rejected a review petition filed by one of the four men convicted in 2012 Nirbhaya gang-rape and murder case, Akshay Kumar Singh on Wednesday. The hearing on Akshay’s review plea delayed by a day on Tuesday after the Chief Justice of India, SA Bobde recused from hearing the plea since his nephew had represented Nirbhaya in court earlier.
AP Singh, the lawyer who represented the convict, asked Supreme Court for two weeks time to file mercy petition before the President before any death warrant is issued. He said his client has legal right to file mercy petition. However, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta objected and said time prescribed to file mercy petitions is 7 days.
He said, “He cannot be granted more time. It’s his statement now that he will be moving mercy petition before President.”
A Delhi court will hear a plea seeking issuance of death warrant against four people, convicted in Nirbhaya case today.
Earlier, Nirbhaya’s mother, Asha Devi said, “When we have fought for 7 years, we can wait for another week. On December 18, their (convicts in the case) death warrant will be issued.” While Nirbhaya’s father said that the convicts are just a few steps closer to death.