DCW to appeal against release of "juvenile" rapist

The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) on Friday decided to challenge the release of the "juvenile" convict in the Nirbhaya gang rape case by writing to President Pranab Mukherjee, chief justices of the Supreme Court and the Delhi High Court.

The "juvenile" convict in the December 16, 2012 Delhi gang rape case, is slated to be released on December 20 (Sunday). The Delhi High Court said the "juvenile" convict's stay cannot be extended in an observation home.

DCW chief Swati Maliwal, in a tweet said: "(I am) extremely sad that Nirbhaya's convict will walk free on 20th (December 20). (It is) dark day in history of the country."

"(DCW) will be appealing to Chief Justice of High Court and Supreme Court and President to intervene. Nirbhaya rapist should not be released," she said in another tweet.

The convict is now 20 years old and was a juvenile in 2012 when the crime was committed.

The court had found him guilty of raping and assaulting the victim along with five accomplices in a moving bus in the national capital.

The juvenile was tried under the Juvenile Justice Act and was ordered to be kept in a remand home for three years.