‘Today, We Will Celebrate Holi’: Nirbhaya’s Native Village

Soon after the hanging of the four men convicted of raping and killing Nirbhaya, celebrations began in UP’s Ballia.

Nirbhaya’s mother Asha Devi

(Photo: AP)

A seven-year-long battle for justice finally culminated in the execution of the four men convicted in the gang rape and murder of a 23-year-old paramedic student in Delhi, 2012.

On Friday, 20 March, at 5:30 am, all four convicts in Nirbhaya rape case were hanged to death in Delhi’s Tihar jail.

Soon after the hanging, celebrations erupted in Nirbhaya’s native village in Uttar Pradesh's Ballia. The entire village was seen dancing, singing and applauding the execution of the convicts.

One of the villagers in Ballia said, “We waited for seven years for this day, we did not celebrate Holi, but today we will play Holi, because justice has been served.”

Nirbhaya's grandfather Lalji Singh, who was up all night waiting for the convicts to be hanged, said, “It was a dark night, which has now passed. It's a new day for everyone, Nirbhaya got justice today, women of this country got justice today and the media is also a part of this justice."

Nirbhaya’s grandfather chimed in, saying, “Now the criminals will be scared to commit such a heinous crime, and from now on women of this country will feel safe."

Nirbhaya's mother said her “struggle of seven years has finally ended, and I thank every citizen of the country as well as the government.” She also said that women will definitely feel safer after this execution.

On the night of 16 December, six men – including one juvenile – brutally gang raped and tortured the 23-year-old paramedical student. Nirbhaya died at a Singapore hospital after battling for her life for a fortnight.

Six men, including the four convicts and the juvenile, were named as accused.

While Ram Singh, who drove the bus in which the crime was commmitted, allegedly ended his life in the Tihar Jail days after the trial began in the case, the juvenile was released in 2015 after spending three years in a correctional home.

On 5 March, a trial court issued fresh death warrants for 20 March at 5:30 am as the final date for execution.

(With inputs from PTI and ANI)