New Delhi: Three years after India's daughter Nirbhaya left us for a better world, the juvenile among her killers is all set to walk free on December 20 unless the Delhi High Court intervenes.
Nirbhaya's parents are aghast, as are others like Subramanian Swamy – he has petitioned the courts to block the juvenile killer's release - said to be the most brutal of 6-member group that gang-raped and killed 23-year-old aspiring Physiotherapist in December 2012.
The Centre is also opposed to his release after the Intelligence Bureau expressed apprehension that he has been radicalised during his stay at the juvenile care centre.
However, the fact remains that juvenile - now 20-year-old - has served the maximum detention period of three years permitted under the Juvenile Justice Act.
Nirbhaya case: 70% feel juvenile's release will go against principle of justice
Even as the tussle over his release plays out in the HC, a report in The Times of India suggests that the Delhi government's department of women and child development (WCD) is ready with a rehabilitation plan for the juvenile. Under the plan, Nirbhaya's killer will get a one-time financial grant of Rs 10,000 and a sewing machine so that he can start his life afresh as a tailor.
It is important to also add that the juvenile comes from a very poor family. His father is mentally ill, mother is in a state of semi-shock ever since she came to know of her son's actions, younger siblings are too young to eke out a living. In one word – poverty.
The family may be hoping that the eldest son of the house will come back and pull them out of their pathetic existence but the enormity of his crime is such that the voice of those who oppose his release can't be drowned.
Juvenile in Nirbhaya case to walk free on Dec 21: Has justice been served?
