SC fast tracks hearing on appeal in December 16 Delhi gang rape case

The Supreme Court on Monday fast-tracked hearing on the appeals by the convicts sentenced to death in December 16 Delhi gangrape case as it would hear the matter on July 18 in one go.

The bench of Justice Dipak Misrra, Justice C.Nagappan and Justice R.Banumathi decided to hear the matter on July 18 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. as senior counsel and amicus curiae Sanjay Hegde urged the court to hear the matter in one go instead of holding piecemeal hearings.

Hegde and senior counsel Raju Ramachandran were appointed amicus curiae on April 8 in assisting the court in the hearing of the appeals by the four accused - Mukesh, Pawan, Vinay Sharma and Akshay Thakur.

While Ramachandran would assist the court in the hearing of the appeals by Mukesh and Pawan, Hege would assist the court in the hearing of appeals by Sharma and Thakur.

On March 13, 2014, a Delhi High Court bench of Justice Reva Khetrapal and Justice Pratibha Rani had upheld the death sentence of all four.

"Society's abhorrence to atrocious crimes perpetrated upon innocent and helpless victims has resulted in the death penalty being retained on the statute book to remind such criminals that human life is very precious and one who dares to take the life of others must lose his own life," the high court had said in its order.

Mukesh, Pawan, Vinay Sharma, Akshay Thakur and Ram Singh along with a juvenile were accused of gang rape and assault of a 23-year-old paramedical student inside a private bus. The victim and her friend were thrown out of the bus after the crime.

Ram Singh allegedly committed suicide while in incarceration.

The victim died of grave intestinal injuries December 29, 2012 at Singapore's Mount Elizabeth Hospital.

--IANS

pk/vd