Delhi Nirbhaya Case Juvenile issue

Meanwhile, the Centre had yesterday asked Delhi High Court to extend the observation home stay of the juvenile convict who is scheduled to be released on Sunday, saying several mandatory aspects were missing from the post-release rehabilitation plan which needed to be considered before setting him free.

The court was hearing its stand on BJP leader Subramanian Swamy’s PIL seeking a stay on the juvenile’s release and reserved its verdict on it.

No mention of mental health status and follow-up were among the concerns listed by Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Sanjay Jain while appearing for the Centre. He is also required to inform whether the juvenile has been recently subjected to psychological/psychiatric assessment for assessing his mental health, ” the notice said.

The parents of the December 2012 gang rape victim, who has been known as “Nirbhaya”(fearless), have expressed their apprehension against the release of the juvenile, who was reportedly the “most brutal” of all the six offenders.

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Tuesday issued conditional summons to Delhi Chief Secretary, Delhi Police Commissioner and Union Home Secretary after they failed to send requisite reports on the impending release of the juvenile involved in the December 16, 2012 rape and murder. The ASG sought that his stay be extended till the time the MC takes into account all the missing aspects in its post-release plan.

“No one is thinking as to what message the government is sending to the society by releasing the juvenile”. “We will consider and pass order”, said the bench after hearing the arguments of government and Swamy.

Under the Justice Juvenile Act, the maximum punishment that is given is three years and the juvenile in this case, has served his sentence.

“The juvenile convict should be kept with wild animals for committing such heinous crime”.

A report by home ministry claims the juvenile becoming worse after being radicalised by association with another juvenile.

This isn’t the first time that Swamy has moved court over the juvenile’s release.

He also said in his petition that the JJ Board should be given some “teeth to deal with such a case of an unreformed juvenile criminal”. Their appeals are pending before the SC. Accused Ram Singh had allegedly committed suicide in Tihar Jail in 2013, and proceedings against him were abated following his death.