Happy to Walk Free But Concerned: Nirbhaya Juvenile Convict

Elated but fearful: the reaction of the ‘juvenile’ convict in the Nirbhaya case.

On 18 Dec, the Delhi High Court allowed the release of the man convicted in the gangrape and murder of Nirbhaya as a juvenile. The court dismissed petitioner and BJP leader Subramanian Swamy’s plea to stay his release.

The Quint has learned that when he was told the news, the convict expressed happiness and prayed for no trouble.

When I informed him about his release, he looked very happy. He just said that he wanted to walk out of the Observation Home before any further trouble erupted.

AP Singh, Lawyer, Nirbhaya’s Juvenile Convict

Considering the fact that his security is a major concern, just a day before his release, AP Singh wrote a letter to Rajnath Singh, Union Home Minister, Akhilesh Yadav, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) requesting for security at his home in Badaun in UP.

The Quint has learned that on Saturday afternoon, the Delhi Police, seeking to avoid a security threat and the media, took custody of the convict from the Observation Home and moved him to an undisclosed location. Hours later, Nirbhaya’s parents and their supporters began a protest against his release.

The Delhi Police told me that the convict is in their custody. Police will leave him at his village on Sunday. We are not aware of when exactly.

AP Singh, Lawyer, Nirbhaya’s Juvenile Convict

The Quint had earlier reported that Nirbhaya’s parents petitioned the government to reveal the identity of the convict, citing that he will be a threat to society. They had even unsuccessfully petitioned the NHRC.

As per the law, the Delhi Government will give him Rs 10,000 as a one-time grant to help him set up a tailoring shop.

Till now, his release was a concern for all of us. Now that we have crossed that hurdle, we will decide about his job and other things.

AP Singh, Lawyer, Nirbhaya’s Juvenile Convict

Officers of the Delhi Police have been cautioned not to give away the location where the convict has been kept for one more night.