New Delhi, December 19: The Delhi High Court on Thursday rejected the plea of Nirbhaya gangrape-murder case convict Pawan Gupta, who had claimed before the court that he was a juvenile while committing the horrific crime. The bench, headed by Justice Suresh Kumar Kait, dismissed the petition after finding lack of merit in the plea. The order could be challenged by Gupta's counsel before the Supreme Court. Nirbhaya Case Convicts Issued Notice by Tihar Jail Administration, Given 7 Days to File Final Mercy Petition.

Gupta, along with Vinay Kumar, Mukesh Singh, Akshay Kumar Singh and Ram Singh were the five majors convicted for gangraping and murdering the 23-year-old paramedical students on the night of December 16, 2012. The sixth convict, a minor, has been released from jail after serving three years in prison.

Gupta's counsel AP Singh was rapped by the court after he sought fresh time to file additional documents. Justice Kait lashed out at the advocate after he reportedly did not turn for the hearing, and asked the Delhi Bar Council to take stringent action against him. A fine of Rs 25,000 was also levied on the advocate by the bench.

Update by ANI

With the dismissal of Pawan Gupta's plea, the decks have further been cleared for the execution of Nirbhaya convicts. The brutal criminal incident, seven years ago, had shook the nation's conscience with scores marching out on the streets demanding time-bound action against the culprits.

Additional Sessions judge Satish Kumar Arora, who is expected to issue the final death warrant, refrained from sanctioning the capital punishment on Wednesday. The bench posted the matter for hearing on January 7, claiming that the convicts would have to be given additional seven days to use their final legal remedies.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 19, 2019 04:14 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).