Don't release juvenile rapist for now: DCW to JJB

The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) on Sunday wrote to the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) requesting it not to go ahead with the release of the teen convict in the Nirbhaya gang rape case pending the hearing of a petition in the apex court.

DCW chairperson Swati Maliwal had filed a Special Leave Petition (SLP) in the Supreme Court late on Saturday against the release of the juvenile convict. The apex court decided to hear the petition on Monday.

"Delhi Commission for Women has moved an SLP in the Hon'ble Supreme Court last night (Saturday) challenging the imminent release of the juvenile boy in the Nirbhaya gang rape case. The matter has been listed in the Hon'ble Supreme Court for tomorrow and is thus sub-judice," wrote Maliwal to JJB.

"In light of the above, I request you to kindly not precipitate the matter until the same is heard by the Hon'ble Supreme Court tomorrow (Monday)."

The Delhi High Court on Friday said the juvenile convict's stay could not be extended in an observation home.

A division bench of Chief Justice G. Rohini and Justice Jayant Nath said the convict, who was found to be a juvenile at the time of the crime, could not be kept at the observation home beyond December 20, the date when he was set to be released.