Nirbhaya case: Hangman reaches Tihar Jail, execution on March 20

New Delhi: Hangman Pawan Jallad on Tuesday (March 17, 2020) reported to Tihar Jail administration, three days ahead of the scheduled date of execution of Nirbhaya rape and murder case convicts, officials said.

According to a senior prison official, Pawan reached the Tihar Jail on Tuesday. A dummy execution will take place a day prior to the execution.

On March 5, a trial court here issued fresh warrants for March 20 at 5.30 am, as the date for the execution of convicts Mukesh Singh (32), Pawan Gupta (25), Vinay Sharma (26) and Akshay Kumar Singh (31) in the Nirbhaya rape and murder case.

The jail authorities had written to the families after the issuance of the fresh death warrant. Their death sentence was deferred thrice. 

Mukesh, Pawan, and Vinay have had their last face-to-face meetings with their respective families.

However, Akshay's family has not had a face-to-face meeting with him. A face-to-face meeting is facilitated so that convicts can not only interact with their families members but they can also have physical contact like hugging.

According to the Tihar Prison manual, "It would be mandatory for prison authorities to facilitate and allow a final meeting between the prisoners and his family and friends prior to the execution."

Officials said the authorities have written to the family of Akshay Kumar Singh about the date for a final meeting before the scheduled date of execution.

Akshay's wife had last met him in February. He, however, talks to his wife over the phone and said his family is likely to visit him in a day or two.

The Health check-up of the convicts is being done once in a day. They are also being counselled on a regular basis.