Nirbhaya Case LIVE: Justice has prevailed says PM Modi

11:40 March 20

Union Minister Smriti Irani said: "Justice was delayed but it has finally been delivered. This is a message to all those who think they can commit crimes against women and escape the law."

11:19 March 20

Taking to Twitter, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: "Justice has prevailed. It is of utmost importance to ensure dignity and safety of women. Our Nari Shakti has excelled in every field. Together, we have to build a nation where the focus is on women empowerment, where there is emphasis on equality and opportunity."

10:45 March 20

Tihar Jail DG said: "Convicts Mukesh and Vinay had dinner and Akshay had only tea, last night. Vinay cried a bit but all 4 convicts were quiet. They were continuously updated on court orders. If their families claim their bodies it will be handed over to them else it is our duty to cremate them."

09:42 March 20

"The post-mortem report of judicial handing is different from normal handing. Autopsy likely to completed by 12:30pm," Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital source to ANI.

08:57 March 20

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal said: "It took 7 yrs for justice to be delivered. Today, we've to take a pledge that a similar incident does not happen again. We've seen how the convicts manipulated the law until recently.There are a lot of loopholes in our system, we need to improve the system."

08:55 March 20

Nirbhaya can rest in peace, our lingering doubts on justice system cleared: NCW chief

National Commission for Women (NCW) chief Rekha Sharma on Friday said Nirbhaya can finally rest in peace as she finally got justice, and hoped that the hanging of the four gang rape and murder case convicts will act as a deterrent for others. 

Sharma said the case has revealed loopholes in the legal system which the four convicts took advantage of.

"Hopefully Nirbhaya finally will rest at peace as she got justice. Her parent's finally won undeterred fight for justice for their daughter after long legal battle.The four men are finally convicted and hanged this morning of the savage crime caused upon a young medical student," Sharma said in a tweet.

"This case also showed us the loopholes of legal system , which the four convicts took advantage of. Today as we know that finally the convicts got hanged, I hope this will play as deterrent for others, and no such case in future should take this long to deliver justice," she added.

08:38 March 20

Bodies of 2012 Delhi gangrape case convicts brought to DDU Hospital for postmortem; The postmortem will be done as recommended by the Jail manual and Supreme Court guidelines. 

08:30 March 20

Ambulance carrying bodies of 2012 Delhi gangrape case convicts leave from Tihar Jail complex for Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital. The bodies of all four 2012 Delhi gangrape case convicts will be handed over to their families after postmortem.

07:39 March 20

Showing victory sign after execution of four convicts, Nirbhaya's father said: "Today is our victory and it happened because of media, society and Delhi police. You can understand what is inside my heart by my smile".

06:50 March 20

Justice delivered but stricter laws required: Swati Maliwal

"Though justice has been delivered to Nirbhaya and the convicts hanged, the country still needs stricter laws to stop crime against women," Delhi women commission chief Swati Maliwal said while speaking to ETV Bharat.

06:40 March 20

Four convicts examined by doctor, declared dead

Sandeep Goel, Director General of Tihar jail informed: "Doctor has examined all four convicts (of 2012 Delhi gang-rape case) and declared them dead."

The four convicts - Mukesh Singh (32), Pawan Gupta (25), Vinay Sharma (26) and Akshay Kumar Singh (31), were hanged at 5.30 am.

According to an official, their bodies remained suspended in the air for nearly half-an-hour.

06:37 March 20

People celebrate as Nirbhaya convicts get executed

Celebrations began after the four convicts of Nirbhaya gang rape case were hanged at 5.30 am in Tihar jail today.

A huge crowd, including women rights activist Yogita Bhayana celebrated & distribute sweets outside the jail.

05:52 March 20

Nirbhaya's mother gives first reaction after execution of four convicts in Tihar Jail

Nirbhaya's mother hailed the hanging of the four convicts, saying that her daughter has finally got justice, after over seven years of being brutalised in a moving bus in the national capital.

"I am proud of my daughter, her struggle has finally ended after seven long years," she said.

She further added that "Our daughter is no more & won't return.We started this fight after she left us, this struggle was for her but we will continue this fight in future for our daughters. I hugged my daughter's picture & said 'finally you got justice."

She also thanked the government and the judiciary for the execution of the convicts.

05:49 March 20

All four convicts of Nirbhaya case hanged

The four convicts in the 2012 Nirbhaya gang-rape and murder case were hanged to death at 5:30 am in Delhi's Tihar jail on Friday, bringing the curtains down on the drama surrounding the execution that saw the death warrants cancelled thrice on various grounds over the last two-and-a-half months.

05:23 March 20

ETV Bharat interacts with an eye witness of the Nirbhaya case

05:14 March 20

Security deployed outside Tihar jail ahead of execution

Security deployed outside Tihar jail, where the four 2012 Nirbhaya case convicts will be hanged shortly.

05:12 March 20

Convicts taken to place of hanging, execution to be carried out shortly

Tihar jail officials: All four 2012 Nirbhaya case convicts are being taken to the place where they will be hanged shortly.

04:48 March 20

Medical of Nirbhaya convicts completed, Tihar jail under lock-down till execution

Tihar jail officials: Medical of all four death row convicts completed, all are fit and fine. Jail to be under lock-down till the process of hanging is completed.

04:47 March 20

04:04 March 20

Executioner's meeting underway with Tihar jail officials

"The executioner has woken up and a meeting is underway with jail officials," informed Tihar jail officials.

The four death row convicts of 2012 Delhi gang-rape case will be hanged at the jail at 5:30 am today.

03:54 March 20

Jail rules doesn't permit it: Solicitor General on AP Singh's request to allow convicts' family members in jail

AP Singh, advocate of death row convicts asked the Supreme Court to allow family members of convicts to meet them for the last time for 5-10 minutes.

However, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said that jail rules doesn’t permit it and it is painful for both sides.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has refused to pass any order in this regard. It has left the matter to Solicitor General Tushar Mehta.

03:51 March 20

Nirbhaya's mother shows victory sign as SC dismissed convict's petition seaking stay on execution

Nirbhaya's mother Asha Devi has said: "I am feeling satisfied today because finally our daughter got justice. Whole country was ashamed of this crime, today the nation got justice."

She was also seen displaying the victory sign after Supreme Court's dismissal of death row convict Pawan Gupta's plea seeking stay on execution.

03:35 March 20

Supreme Court dismisses Nirbhaya convict's petition seeking stay on execution

Supreme Court dismisses the petition of death row convict Pawan Gupta against rejection of his mercy plea by the President and seeking stay on execution.

03:22 March 20

AP Singh demands three day delay in execution for recording convict's statement

AP Singh, advocate of death row convicts says: "I know they will be hanged but can it (execution) be stayed for two- three days to record (convict Pawan's) statement."

03:22 March 20

We are not inclined to entertain the plea: Supreme Court

03:06 March 20

AP Singh raising grounds which have already been argued: Justice Bhushan

Advocate AP Singh appearing for convict Pawan shows to court school certificate, school register, & attendance register of Pawan claiming he was juvenile at the time of crime.

Justice Bhushan, however, said that these documents were already filed by him before courts.

He further asked: "What are the grounds on which AP Singh (advocate of convicts) is challenging the rejection of mercy petition?"

He added that Nirbhaya convicts' lawyer is raising grounds which have already been argued.

02:48 March 20

SC begins hearing on Pawan Gupta's petition seeking stay on execution

Supreme Court begins hearing in the petition of death row convict Pawan Gupta against rejection of his mercy plea by the President and seeking stay on execution.

02:47 March 20

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta arrives at Supreme Court

The Supreme Court will shortly hear the petition by four 2012 Delhi gang-rape case death row convicts, seeking stay on their execution. 

02:26 March 20

Parents of Nirbhaya arrive at Supreme Court

The Supreme Court will shortly hear the petition by four death row convicts, seeking stay on their execution. 

02:07 March 20

Supreme Court to hear the petition of all four death row convicts, seeking stay on execution, at 2:30 am today.

02:04 March 20

We are seeking urgent hearing and stay on death warrant: AP Singh

Nirbhaya case convicts' lawyer AP Singh said: "We are seeking urgent hearing & stay on death warrant. We are filing the petition in the Supreme Court, the court is open and working."

02:02 March 20

AP Singh arrives at residence of Supreme Court Registrar

Lawyer AP Singh on late Thursday night arrived at the residence of Supreme Court Registrar. The convicts are scheduled to be executed at 5:30 am on Friday.

01:58 March 20

We hope justice is delivered today: Asha Devi

Asha Devi, mother of 2012 Nirbhaya case said: "Convicts were given a lot of time, many pleas were filed to delay the execution. Their plea has been dismissed in High Court, we are going to Supreme Court, it will be dismissed there too. Convicts will be hanged this morning."

She further asserted that people hope justice is delivered and all convicts are hanged today morning.

01:55 March 20

Will go to Supreme Court once I get the order copy: AP Singh

Advocate AP Singh has said that he will go to to the Supreme Court once he gets a copy of the High Court's order.

"I have spoken to Registrar, I will go to him," he said. 

23:15 March 19

Delhi HC dismisses convicts' plea, hanging tomorrow at 5.30 am

Dismissing the last minute plea of Nirbhaya convicts, the Delhi High Court said that the there was no foundation in their petition. 

"It has been filed without any index, list of dates, memo of parties, annexures or any affidavits," the court said.

23:12 March 19

Posters put up outside Tihar Jail

Hours ahead of execution of 2012 Delhi gang rape case convicts, posters put up outside Tihar Jail.

23:09 March 19

'Justice hurried is justice buried' : AP Singh

 Advocate AP Singh said, "Justice hurried is justice buried" in response to court's statement that he has not raised a single legal point.

23:08 March 19

Delhi HC pulls up convicts' lawyer

The Delhi High Court on Thursday pulled up the lawyer representing the death-row convicts in the Nirbhaya gang rape and murder case for not adhering to prerequisite technicalities before filing the petition.

Advocate A.P. Singh moved the High Court challenging the trial court's order which had declined to stay the execution scheduled for early morning on March 20.

"There is no annexure, no memo of parties, there is nothing in this matter, no affidavits, nothing. Do you have the permission to file this petition?" the judge asked the counsel.

Singh retorted, "Due to coronavirus, no photocopy machine is working."

22:56 March 19

Delhi High Court told 2012 Delhi gang rape case convicts lawyer AP Singh," Law favours those who take timely action. For two and a half years till March 4, 2020, what have you been doing? You are blaming us? It is already 10.45 pm, execution is at 5.30 am. Give us a substantive point. We found no foundation in your plea."

22:46 March 19

Pending divorce plea of convict Akshay's wife not relevant to stay execution

The Delhi High Court on Thursday said that pendency of a divorce plea of death row convict Akshay Kumar Singh's wife was not relevant to stay his execution along with three other convicts, scheduled for early Friday morning.

A bench comprising justices Manmohan and Sanjeev Narula said that the Supreme Court has already held that the pending divorce plea was no longer relevant.

The bench also said the apex court's judgement confirming death sentence has attained finality and the court cannot sit and review over it.

"We cannot say death warrant cannot be implemented because Akshay's wife's divorce plea is pending," the bench said.

22:33 March 19

The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed the curative petition filed by Pawan Gupta, a convict in the Nirbhaya gang rape and murder case.  

Talking to ETV Bharat, Nirbhaya's mother said," Lawyers stated that no legal remedies of any of the four convicts are pending in any of the courts. Even I know that they don't have any pleas left in order to postpone the hanging date. They are used to postponing the hanging date but this time they cannot do the same."

"This is the final date and tomorrow, they will be hanged,"she added.

22:29 March 19

Delhi HC says divorce plea of convict Akshay Kumar Singh's wife not relevant to stay execution. 

22:09 March 19

HC holds midnight hearing on convicts' plea

Soon after the trial court did not provide any relief to the four death row convicts in the Nirbhaya gang rape and murder case, the convicts approached the Delhi High Court late on Thursday night to try and stay their execution scheduled for just a few hours from now.

A division bench of Justices Manmohan and Sanjeev Narula is hearing the matter.

Advocate A.P. Singh appearing for the convicts argued that there has been a miscarriage of justice.

The bench however told the counsel stared, "You have to be fair to your client and your client has to be fair to us. You should come with some substantive point at the 11th hour. There is no foundation in your petition."

Singh then argued before the court that convict Pawan is a juvenile. He also raised the complaint he had filed in the trial court claiming that the sole witness in the case was tutored which was dismissed by the trial court.

The bench repeatedly asked the counsel to bring out one valid point to support his arguments for a stay on the warrants.

"Three courts have applied their minds, the President has applied his mind. You again approached Supreme Court, five judges again applied their minds. If you want to stay the warrants you have to make a case for it Mr Singh," the bench said.

Opposing the arguments of Singh, advocate Rahul Mehra, senior standing counsel (Criminal), Delhi government argued, "There is no new argument he has. This is a serious matter."

Counsels appearing for Nirbhaya's parents, Seema Kushwaha and Jitendra Jha claimed that all the arguments Singh raised before the bench have been considered by the top court in various legal remedies which the convicts availed.

21:14 March 19

SC junks desperate attempts made by Nirbhaya case convicts to escape gallows

The Supreme Court Thursday trashed the desperate attempts by three of the four death-row convicts, scheduled to be hanged at 5.30 am on Friday in the Nirbhaya gang-rape and murder case, to escape the gallows.

Just a day before the scheduled execution, the top court one after the other dismissed three pleas filed by Pawan Gupta, Mukesh Singh and Akshay Singh including two petition that were filed today itself.

21:03 March 19

3 death row convicts move Delhi HC for stay on execution, hearing shortly

Three of the four death-row convicts in the Nirbhaya gang-rape and murder case moved the Delhi High Court Thursday evening challenging the trial court order declining to stay their execution scheduled for early morning tomorrow.

A bench headed by Justice Manmohan is likely to hear the matter at 9 pm.

The plea was mentioned before the registry officials who put it up before the Chief Justice of the High Court who marked it to the bench headed by Justice Manmohan.

20:23 March 19

With less 10 hours to go scheduled hangings of the four convicts in the 2012 Nirbhaya gang-rape and murder case, Delhi’s Tihar jail authorities have begun the final preparations.

16:37 March 19

15:59 March 19

15:52 March 19

Supreme Court rejects Akshay Singh plea challenging rejection of mercy plea by President Ram Nath Kovind.

15:50 March 19

Justice Bhushan: How any of the submissions made by Singh are relevant at this point. 

Justice Banumathi: Court is not inclined to entertain the plea, says all the arguments have already been heard at length several times. 

Singh continues to argue

15:48 March 19

Convict Akshay's lawyer AP Singh: They faced four times death warrant, so requesting the Court to commute death to life sentence. 

Singh is citing the precedent laid down in Shatrughan Chauhan case.

Singh citing SC precedents on the question of death penalty, torture, and harassment and quotes Justice Kurian Joseph who favoured commutation of sentence of these convicts on account of their very young age in one of the media interviews.

15:42 March 19

Delhi's Patiala House Court dismisses the plea of 2012 Delhi gangrape convicts seeking a stay on execution.

15:40 March 19

Singh submits that a number of cases in relation to the accused persons remain pending before various Courts, this includes Akshay's divorce case, Vinay's case alleging torture in prison, among others. 

Singh asks what would happen of these cases after execution.

15:37 March 19

AP Singh says that Article 21 is a part of human rights and that there are prisoner's rights; adds that the SC has, in precedents, held that there is a right to protection against torture.

Singh also says that there are post mercy remedies available and cites Shatrughan Chauhan judgment; says all facts not considered properly in this case.

15:37 March 19

AP Singh says that Article 21 is a part of human rights and that there are prisoner's rights; adds that the SC has, in precedents, held that there is a right to protection against torture.

15:27 March 19

Convict Akshay's lawyer AP Singh:  But it's a matter of human rights. 

Justice Bhushan: Everytime you say human rights, you're arguing about a person who has been convicted and sentenced to death.

Singh argues that there was a hurry to hang the convicts and as such death warrant was issued four times; adds that the case was tainted by bias since Ministers and public figures made statements leading to prejudice and bias.

AP Singh reads out various news reports; says media is being used to stir public sentiment.

Singh submits that media reports and public statements led to miscarriage of justice and his mercy plea was considered properly. 

Justice Banumathi:The decision on mercy plea was taken by the Highest Constitutional authority, how can you say he was influenced.

15:13 March 19

Supreme Court points out that the mercy plea was rejected in February this year. 

AP Singh says that it was an incomplete one and subsequently a "compete" mercy plea was filed by him. 

The same was rejected in a hurry under media pressure, Singh says.

Justice Bhushan: Scope of judicial review is very limited. We are not hearing the first appeal, you're challenging the decision of the President

15:09 March 19

Convict Akshay's lawyer AP Singh: Every pillar of democracy in this case is under pressure. A complete mercy plea was filed before the President yesterday and today I learnt, through media, of the rejection of the same. No correspondence of rejection was received.

15:06 March 19

Supreme Court now begins hearing plea filed by Akshay Singh against rejection of his mercy plea by the President.

Convict Akshay's lawyer AP Singh: The rejection of mercy plea will affect a number of persons. It will affect everyone connected to Akshay. 

Supreme Court:You have said you filed a second mercy plea and the President rejected. What is the scope of judicial review now?

14:46 March 19

The Supreme Court refuses to entertain a plea of convict Mukesh Singh challenging the Delhi High Court’s order rejecting his claim that he was not in Delhi when crime took place. 

14:39 March 19

Death row convict Akshay has moved the Supreme Court challenging the rejection of the mercy petition by the President. All four convicts are to be hanged tomorrow at 5:30 am as per March 5 death warrant.

14:31 March 19

Wife of Akshay who has filed a divorce petition in a Bihar court, appeared to have a nervous breakdown and fainted outside Patiala House Court complex, earlier today.

14:28 March 19

Curative petition of Pawan Gupta, one of the convicts, has been rejected. The second mercy petition of Pawan and Akshay have not been entertained by the President Ram Nath Kovind. 

14:28 March 19

A Delhi Court reserves the order on plea of convicts seeking stay on execution due to pendency of various applications in different legal forums. All four convicts are to be hanged tomorrow at 5:30 am.

13:36 March 19

Supreme court agrees to hear plea filed by Nirbhaya convict Mukesh at 2:30 pm.

12:42 March 19

Nirbhaya case hearing begins at HC

New Delhi: Mukesh Singh, one of the four death-row convicts in the Nirbhaya gangrape and murder case, on Thursday moved the Supreme Court, challenging a Delhi High Court order which rejected his claim that he was not in the national capital when the crime was committed on December 16, 2012.

The high court on Wednesday said there were no grounds to interfere in the detailed and reasoned order of the trial court. On Tuesday, the trial court dismissed Mukesh Singh's plea and asked the Bar Council of India to appropriately sensitise his counsel.

On March 5, the trial court issued fresh warrants for hanging on March 20 at 5:30 am of all convicts in the case Mukesh Singh (32), Pawan Gupta (25), Vinay Sharma (26) and Akshay Singh (31). 

Inputs from PTI, ANI, IANS