Stop release of juvenile, says Delhi Commission for Women

Even as the juvenile convict in the December 16 gang-rape case is all set to be freed on Sunday, the Delhi Commission for Women has urged the Juvenile Justice Board to stop his release. Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal on Sunday urged the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) against going ahead on the release of the juvenile convict in the December 16 gang-rape case, saying that the matter is listed for a hearing in the Supreme Court on Monday. 

Amidst these developments and a dramatic post-midnight move by Maliwal to approach the apex court seeking a stay on the release of the juvenile convict, the parents of the victim, however, said that the last-minute efforts were “just for show.” The parents were briefly detained by police after they held a protest against the convict’s release. Questioning the role of the Centre and Delhi government, the parents asked why they did not take action earlier to stop the imminent release of the juvenile convict. 

“Our fight is just on the issue that he (the convict) must not come out. If he comes out, what is the point of the hearing (by Supreme Court),” the victim’s mother questioned. Writing to Murari Prasad Singh, the Principal Magistrate at JJB-II, Maliwal said “I request you to not precipitate the matter until the same is heard by Supreme Court tomorrow.”