Release of Juvenile Rapist: Nirbhaya’s Parents Fighting in Vain?

Neither the Centre nor the state government is coming forward to help Nirbhaya’s parents

Nirbhaya’s mother breaks down while talking to The Quint. (Photo: The Quint)

As Nirbhaya’s juvenile rapist prepares to walk free in the next few days, her parents are running from pillar to post, pleading against his release. The Quint has learnt that Nirbhaya’s parents met Maneka Gandhi, Minister of Women and Child Development and the Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. However, having failed to get any reassurance from both leaders, they are now contemplating their future course of action.

They are yet to get any response from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on their plea to reveal the identity of the juvenile. In an earlier interview with The Quint they had maintained that he could be a possible threat to society and demanded that his identity be released.

Agar kisi ne ne kuch nahi kiya toh hum bhi chup nahi baithenge. Hume jo karna hoga wo hum karnege. <i>(We will not sit quiet if no one does anything. We will do whatever is required)</i>

<b>Nirbhaya’s Father</b>

When Nirbhaya’s parents met Maneka Gandhi, the Minister of Women and Child Development expressed helplessness, saying the law doesn’t permit the government to keep juveniles behind bars, once the allotted sentence has been served.

Humne Minister ko petition di thi ki yeh juvenile society ke liye khatra hoga agar bahar aa gaya. Aur ministry ko kuch karna chahiye taki aam janta ko usse koi khatara na ho. Lekin Madam (minister) ne kaha ki wo kuch nahi kar sakti aur petition wapas kar di. <i>(We gave the petition to the minister saying that the release of the juvenile is a threat to society. And the ministry should ensure safety of people. But the Minister returned the petition)</i>

<b>Nirbhaya’s Father</b>

On Sunday, Nirbahaya’s parents met the Delhi CM at a function with the same request but failed to get any positive response. The CM said that he would meet them later to discuss the matter.

16 December ko hum apni beti ko shradhanjali denge Jantar Mantar pe. Abhi humne aur kuch nahi socha hai ki hume aage kya karna hai. <i>(We will pay homage to our daughter on December 16 at Jantar Mantar. As of now we don’t know what will be our future course of action.)</i>

<b> Nirbhaya’s Father</b>

The minor who was convicted in the gangrape and murder of Nirbhaya. (Photo: Reuters)

Early last week, the National Human Rights Commission had issued notices to the Centre and the Delhi government on Nirbhaya’s parents’ complaint which said the juvenile rapist is a threat to society. The petition also said that he has fairly high tendency to commit crime, and hence, there should be a mechanism to keep him under close watch. Both the Centre and the state were given two weeks’ time to file their reply.