Nirbhaya Case Update: Hearing Postponed Again, Victim’s Mother Breaks Down in Court

Seven Years Later, Justice Still Delayed

It is heartbreaking to see the prolonged struggle of Nirbhaya’s parents. Despite the horrifying rape and murder that shook the entire nation, even seven years later the case continues to face delays. The repeated postponements have raised serious concerns and contributed to the public’s declining trust in the judicial system.

Hearing Deferred to January 7, 2020

On Wednesday, the Patiala House Court announced that the plea for the execution of Nirbhaya’s convicts will now be heard on January 7, 2020. The decision deeply affected Nirbhaya’s mother, who broke down inside the Delhi court, expressing helplessness at the never-ending wait for justice.

The court directed Tihar Jail authorities to issue a fresh one-week notice to the death-row convicts, asking whether they wish to file mercy petitions.

Supreme Court Rejects Convict’s Review Petition

Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court dismissed the review plea filed by one of the convicts, Akshay Singh Thakur. The newly constituted three-judge bench — Justice Bhanumathi, Justice Ashok Bhushan, and Justice AS Bopanna — found no new grounds to reconsider the sentence.

The bench observed that Akshay’s arguments were similar to previously rejected petitions.

“We found no ground for review of the sentence,” the court stated.

Convicts Facing Execution

Besides Akshay, the three other convicts — Mukesh, Vinay, and Pawan — are all on death row for the brutal gang rape and murder of the 23-year-old paramedical student who was later named Nirbhaya. The crime occurred on December 16, 2012, inside a moving bus in Delhi. She succumbed to her injuries a few days later.

Defense Arguments and Mercy Pleas

Senior advocate AP Singh, representing one of the convicts, announced that a mercy petition will be filed soon. He argued that several death penalties in rape and POCSO cases have previously been commuted to life imprisonment.

Akshay also claimed that rising pollution levels and decreasing life expectancy should be considered grounds for leniency — an argument widely criticized.

Other Accused in the Case

Two additional individuals were initially accused. The prime accused, Ram Singh, died by suicide in Tihar Jail during the trial. Another juvenile convict was sentenced under the Juvenile Justice Act and released after serving his term.

Concerns Over Delays in Sensitive Cases

The continuous postponement has sparked frustration among the public and legal experts. Many believe that:

“Sensitive matters should not be dragged to such an extent that people lose their patience.”