The Delhi High Court on Monday reserved its order on the Central government's plea seeking the release of the juvenile convict of the gang-rape of Nirbhaya in Delhi in December 2012.
BJP leader Subramanian Swamy had filed a petition before the HC seeking extension of the juvenile convict's sentence until all aspects including mental health and post-release rehabilitation plan are finalised by the authorities. The convict is scheduled to be released on Sunday.
Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Sanjay Jain, who is representing the Centre, told the division bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Jayant Nath that several mandatory requirements were missing from the post-release rehabilitation plan of the convict, IANS reported.
Earlier, the Intelligence Bureau had claimed that the juvenile convict was radicalised to join jihad by the convict of the Delhi High Court blast. The court had also sought IB's report regarding the same.
Swamy mentioned the findings of the IB and said, "such unreformed juvenile not be released until it is demonstrably assured that he has reformed, ceased to be radicalised and is not a menace to the society".
Reserving the order after hearing the arguments, the Bench said, "We will consider and pass order".
The convict, who hails from Uttar Pradesh's Badaun area, was 17 when he committed the crime. He is now 20 and is scheduled to be released from the rehabilitation centre on 20 December after he completes his three-year term.
Nirbhaya (a name given by media) was brutally gangraped and assaulted with an iron rod on a private moving bus by six men, including the juvenile convict on 16 December. She had suffered severe injuries in her abdomen and intestines due to the brutal assault and succumbed to them on 29 December, 2012.
While investigating, the police found out that the juvenile was the most brutal of all the six assaulters.
While the juvenile convict was sent to a reform facility for three years, the other five were sentenced to death. Of the five adult convicts, one was found dead in Tihar Jail on 11 March. The police suspect it to be a suicide.
The Nirbhaya gangrape case had triggered massive protests across the nation, forcing the government to introduce more strict laws and better safety measures for women.
A trial court had awarded death penalty to four rapists which was upheld by the high court. Out of the six convicts, one was found dead in Tihar Jail and the juvenile was sent to reform home.
