Delhi gang-rape case: DCW `betrayed` Nirbhaya's parents, stands exposed

The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a plea for halting the release of the juvenile accused in the December 16, 2012 gang-rape.

Delhi Commission for Women chairperson Swati Maliwal

New Delhi: As soon as Delhi Commission for Women chairperson Swati Maliwal filed a plea in the Supreme Court against the release of the juvenile offender in the December 16 gang-rape case, questions were raised over her timing to do so.

Today, her intent was also in the dock when a Zee News correspondent said that while appearing before the court, Maliwal talked about the juvenile rapist's reform and did not appeal to stall the offender's release. On the contrary, while she appeared before media after the SC dismissed her last-minute plea, she said she had approached the court with a plea to not let Nirbhaya's rapist walk free.

Maliwal's last-ditch effort has not gone down well with Nirbhaya's parents who asked where was the DCW chief a few months back and why did she not file the plea in the SC earlier.

Hours before the juvenile was to be freed from an observation home on completion of his three-year term at Majnu Ka Tila, Maliwal had moved the Supreme Court on the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday to try and stall the release.

Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly and BJP leader Vijender Gupta accused the Delhi government of trying to “create drama” over the release of the juvenile convict.

“If the Delhi government was at all earnest about stopping the release of the convict, it would have initiated a proper legal process much before his release date, since the reform home is under the jurisdiction of the Delhi government. The Delhi government is creating drama… only to turn the mass anger, triggered by his release, in its favour,” said the BJP leader.