Nirbhaya case: SC dismisses convict Akshay Kumar Singh’s review plea against death penalty

The Supreme Court dismissed the review petition of one of the convicts, Akshay Singh and confirmed the death penalty of all four convicts. The convict has now sought time to file mercy plea.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court bench comprising of Justices R Banumathi, Ashok Bushan and AS Bopanna on Wednesday dismissed the last pending review petition in the Nirbhaya gang rape and murder case, which was filed by one of the four convicts, Akshay Kumar Singh.

Reading out the verdict, Justice Banumathi said, “We have given due consideration. Petitioner has sought to assail evidence. These grounds have been considered earlier. This cannot be allowed. All these have been examined in trial court, high court and the Supreme Court.”  

The convict had questioned the woman's dying declaration and argued in court that he deserved mercy as the "pressure to implicate him had been overlooked" and there had been inefficiency to catch the "real perpetrators".

"The convict doesn't deserve any lenience. God would feel ashamed of creating such a monster. There are certain crimes where 'humanity cries' and this case is one of them," said Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, contesting the convict's petition.

Meanwhile, Nirbhaya’s mother lauded the Supreme Court verdict and said that she is very happy with the Supreme Court's order and all eyes will now be on Patiala House Court where Nirbhaya's parents have filed a petition to expedite death sentence given to the four convicts.

The Supreme Court also gave Akshay Kumar Singh one week’s time to file his mercy plea.  

There was media and public pressure to implicate Akshay Singh, the convict's lawyer AP Singh argued as his petition was heard by the three judges.