Delhi gang rape: Nirbhaya’s father questions Centre, Delhi government

Hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets of India’s capital on Sunday to protest the impending release of a juvenile convicted in the fatal gang rape that deeply shook the country.

The man, who was 17 at the time of the crime and can not be named, was sentenced to three years in a reform facility in August 2013 and finished his term this weekend. The protesters were led by the parents of the woman who was attacked.

Although the convict is now an adult, he was tried as a juvenile and has served the full sentence allowed.

Four adults involved in the attack were sentenced to death while a fifth hanged himself in prison. The victim’s parents were among those detained later at a rally.

The Centre had also opposed the convict’s release.

The attack was at the center of mass protests across India over the country’s sexual violence epidemic, which activists decry is condoned by the state as a result of impunity.

The convict’s identity is being changed and no record of his crime will remain in the public domain, a move that has caused more outrage among many in India.

A court ruled on the case on Friday, saying: “We agree it is a serious issue”.

Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal on Monday said that she is hopeful that the Supreme Court would be giving the decision through which this rapist will not be able to walk free until at least his medical condition and proper steps for his reaffirmation are taken.

The Delhi Commission for Women said in its petition to the Supreme Court that during his stay in the correctional home, the convict showed lack of remorse and had been further radicalised. “The matter has been posted for hearing on Monday as item number 3”.

In an interview earlier this year, the attacker who drove the bus suggested that the attack was to teach the woman and her male friend a lesson that they should not have been out late at night. “I hope that government and the Delhi Police will wait for one day and not release him”, Maliwal told reporters outside the residence of Justice Goel.

Ms Maliwal defended her action and answered criticism by the gangrape victim’s parents about the last-minute appeal by saying that consultations with the legal team resulted in the delay in filing of the special leave petition.