MHA Recommends Prez to Reject Mercy Plea of Nirbhaya Case Convict

The Union Home Ministry has sent to President Ram Nath Kovind the recommendation of the Delhi government to reject the mercy plea of one of the convicts in the 2012 Nirbhaya gang-rape case, officials said on Friday, 6 December.

The move came two days after the file rejecting the mercy plea was sent by Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal to the Home Ministry. The file has been forwarded to the President for consideration and final decision.

The Home Ministry has also commented in the file recommending the rejection of the mercy petition, the official said.

Nirbhaya’s parents have moved the President's office seeking rejection of the mercy petition as well, reported news agency ANI.

The letter states that this mercy petition is a deliberate attempt to avoid the execution of death sentence and hampers the dissemination of justice.

Vinay Sharma, one of the convicts facing the gallows for the rape-and-murder of a 23-year-old paramedic student, had filed the mercy petition before the President.

Nirbhaya was gang-raped on 16 December 2012. She later succumbed to her injuries. The brutality of the rape had shocked the nation leading to massive protests.

The news comes at a time when there is nationwide outrage over the gang rape and murder of a 25-year-old veterinarian in Hyderabad.

(With Inputs from ANI & PTI)