New Delhi, December 18: The execution of convicts in Nirbhaya gangrape-murder case was further delayed as the court on Thursday refrained from issuing the death warrant. Judge Satish Kumar Arora, who presided over the single-judge bench, asked the police to issue a notice to the convicts on their remaining legal remedies. The case was adjourned by him till January 7. Nirbhaya Case: Convict Akshay Kumar Singh's Review Petition Rejected by Supreme Court in 2012 Delhi Gang-Rape Case.

Nirbhaya's mother Asha Devi broke down in the courtroom after the bench fall short of issuing the black warrant -- which would had paved the way for the convicts' execution. The police and prosecution had pressed hard for clearing the decks for capital punishment, but Justice Arora underlined that the legal rights of convicts must also be protected.

Devi, moved to tears by the court's further adjournment of execution order, said the system is bent towards upholding the rights of convicts but what about the right of victim who was brutally gangraped and murdered by them seven years ago.

Update by ANI

The judge attempted to console Nirbhaya's mother, by stating that the courts of this country are present to "protect her rights". He stressed that he "sympathises" with the victim but is bound by duty to uphold the rights of convicts as well.

Devi vented her dissent outside the courtroom, saying that she has been leading a bitter fight over the last seven years to seek justice for her daughter. "The court has given them (convicts) to time to seek remedy. Court is only looking at their (convicts) rights and not ours. There is no guarantee that a judgement will be given on next date of hearing," she said.

Out of the six who were convicted of gangraping and murdering Nirbhaya on a moving bus on the night of December 16, 2012, one was released after spending three years in prison as he was a juvenile. Another convict, Ram Singh, had committed suicide in the jail premises.

The mercy petitions of four others have been rejected by the President. The special court, however, adjourned the matter till January 7 as the law allows the convicts to file a curative petition seeking review of their mercy pleas.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 18, 2019 06:20 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).