Dear reader, online ads enable us to deliver the journalism you value. Please support us by taking a moment to
NEW DELHI: The youngest convict in an infamous fatal gang-rape on a bus in New Delhi three years ago has been released from a youth correctional facility, Indian police said on Sunday.
“The convict was handed over to an NGO. He is no longer under the jurisdiction of the police,” Delhi police spokesman Rajan Bhagat said.
“He has been given a new identity and his criminal record has been expunged,” a police source added. News of the release was immediately condemned by the parents of the victim, a medical student who died of her injuries in a Singapore hospital nearly two weeks after the attack on Dec 16, 2012.
“Our fight was all about this convict not being allowed to walk free. If he has come out, what is the point of the hearing at the Supreme Court?” the mother of the victim told reporters.
“We want justice for our daughter”. India media said the 20-year-old convict, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had been handed over to a charitable organisation on Sunday but police sources said the move had actually taken place some days ago.
The name of the NGO has not been released over fears that their offices could be attacked.
News of the release came only hours before a hearing on Monday at India’s Supreme Court where a women’s rights group will file a petition against the release.
The parents and women’s rights groups have been opposing the release of the youngest attacker, mainly on the grounds that it was unclear if he had been rehabilitated and was ready to be reintegrated into society.
The attacker was the youngest of a group of men who brutally assaulted the 23-year-old student on a bus, triggering global outrage and protests in India over the country’s high levels of violence against women.
He was sent to a correctional home for three years under India’s juvenile laws while four others were convicted and given the death penalty in 2014. Their appeals against hanging are pending in the Supreme Court.
Published in Dawn, December 21st, 2015
Comments (24) Closed
This is called rule of the law, in spite of all the protests of civil society. I personally disagree and feel that this "juvenile" should have been punished far more harshly. But kudos to the Indian courts for putting into action the law in its correct spirit and not making precedent exceptions that would affect how future teens are treated for less extenuating crimes!
I am speechless!
We are setting an example for others who are below 18 years to commit such crimes and spoil a women's life. The SC should bring this insane boy back to prison and put him under life imprisonment. If this is not done, then the people of India may find another way to punish him. Just image the pain that innocent girl must have gone through. If this person had not suggested, she would have been left alive by other 4 convicts. This guy was the main culprit and look at the judiciary - letting him free and that too with financial support to start his own business. This is what i came to know from the sources. Unbelievable.
Time to change the juvenile law and age criteria. Otherwise bharat mata will not forgive us. Jei hind
Shame on the society that has Laws like this, they only encourages other under age to commit crimes and get away with it.
Even his record was expunged meaning he is a new person and have no police record. Wow. I feel sad for the parents of the rape victim of dehli bus.
This is called law of the land. Applies to all irrespective of weather it is popular decision or not.
Good Move India court rules are rules and no matter whatever the crime is we cannot go out of the law to punish that. Well done supreme court.
Tolerant or Intolerant India?
Molestation is applicable below 18 in India?
Punishment of Juvenile victim should be based on the kind of crime that he/she commits. The error in the judiciary must be corrected. In the crime like Dehli gang rape, a convict of just 18 years will be given death punishment. But the same crime made by a person of just 1 day less than 18 would be freed. What that difference makes ?. How can law justifies it?.
His police record was expunged too. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Shame! :(
time to revise the age of 'legal puberty' . today in this age of knowledge and some biological advancements the juvenile act must be reconsider.in this regard US's "get tough" legal practice in many states can be helpful in forming new legislation.
We want new laws very quick! More people will follow him since there are no strict laws for juveniles in our country... Very very sad indeed! :(
@Mughni Underage offenders don't check with law and get "encouraged". They can't think very much, which is why we have separate law. The court can only follow the law. Law needs to be reviewed and revised.
Very sad news a decent woman can not move alone in India in twenty first century where as women are more poweful than men in others countries.
When the government said it supported DCW Chairperson Swati Maliwal's plea that the juvenile convict should not be released till such time he is reformed, Justice Goel said, "You are saying without the law backing you... go first and make the law."
@faraz Juvenile Justice Bill is already is parliament and passed by lower house but due recent drama by Congress in upper house it is stuck. In new law juvenile age is reduced and there are more tougher punishment for heinous crimes.
India - where the law is not the same for everyone. The shine keeps fading.
the law was changed after the rape incident where minors could be tried as adults in serious crimes
@Murlidhar Nair While I am angry & upset as many others, I do not think we can find fault with the judiciary. They gave the maximum punishment permitted by law. There are two points involved - the law needs amendment and the mindset of the average Indian needs to change. We have issues like female foeticide which are equally reprehensible but civil society rarely raises its voice against this offence.
I strongly oppose and protest against the decision
Improve your laws.