Nirbhaya Rape and Murder Case: Convict Vinay Sharma Seeks Immediate Withdrawal of Mercy Petition, Claims Did Not Sign or Authorise Plea
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Friday recommended President Ram Nath Kovind to reject the mercy petition of one of the convicts in the Nirbhaya gang-rape murder case. The convict, Vinay Sharma, had reportedly pleaded before the President to commute his execution and reduce it to life imprisonment.
New Delhi, December 7: One of the convicts in the 2012 'Nirbhaya' Delhi rape and murder case, Vinay Sharma, has moved a plea before the President of India seeking immediate withdrawal of his mercy petition. Vinay Sharma claimed that the mercy plea sent to the President by the Union Home Ministry was not signed and authorized by him, reported ANI. It is believed that the withdrawal of the plea by Vinay Sharma is an attempt by the convict to have a final chance at mercy as the current situation is charged following the news of Hyderabad veterinary doctor and Unnao rape and murder case. As per law, once a mercy petition is rejected by the President of India, the convict cannot file a mercy petition again. Nirbhaya Case: MHA Recommends President Ram Nath Kovind to Reject Mercy Plea of Gangrape-Murder Convict Vinay Sharma.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Friday recommended President Ram Nath Kovind to reject the mercy petition of one of the convicts in the Nirbhaya gang-rape murder case. The convict, Vinay Sharma, had reportedly pleaded before the President to commute his execution and reduce it to life imprisonment. POCSO Act Convicts Must Not be Allowed to File Mercy Petitions: President Ram Nath Kovind.
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The Centre, in its file sent to the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday, said the President is recommended to reject the mercy plea. Sharma, along with three others, was sentenced to death by the Supreme Court in 2017. While Sharma had petitioned the President for mercy, second convict Mukesh refused to make and appeal and accepted the court's decision to execute him.
The third convict, Ram Singh, had hanged himself in jail whereas the fourth convict, Akshay Thakur, is yet to file a review plea. The MHA's recommendation to reject the mercy plea comes days after the same was turned down by Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal on the advise of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led state government.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 07, 2019 03:51 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).