Nirbhaya's mother breaks down as HC allows juvenile convict to walk free, says crime has won

The Delhi High Court's refusal to stay the release of the juvenile convict in the Nirbhaya gang-rape case has come as a big disappointment for the victim's parents.

New Delhi: Apparently disappointed with the Delhi High Court's refusal to stay the release of the juvenile convict in the Nirbhaya gang-rape case, the victim's parents on Friday said that they will not give up and continue to fight for justice for their daughter.

Speaking to reporters, Nirbhaya's mother said, “Even after all our efforts, the juvenile convict will now be released. The assurance we were given that we will get justice has not happened. A criminal has been let off.” "What message is this sending out to the public of the country. All I wanted was justice but crime has won today,” said a teary-eyed Nirbhaya's mother.

Echoing similar concerns, Nirbhaya's father said, ''We cant comment on the High Court's ruling but out fight against this injustice will continue.''

Everyday minors are being raped and gang-raped in Delhi and elsewhere, who will ensure justice to them?, Nirbhaya's father asked.

However, he expressed some satisfaction with the High Court's ruling that the juvenile be kept under watch for two years.

The reactions from Nirbhaya's parents came shortly after the Delhi High Court refused to stay the juvenile convict's scheduled release on Sunday (December 20).

BJP leader Subramanian Swamy had moved a plea seeking a stay on the juvenile's release.

Apart from Swamy, the Centre had also asked the High Court to extend the observation of home stay of the juvenile convict in December 16, 2012 gang-rape case, saying several mandatory aspects were missing from the post-release rehabilitation plan which needed to be considered before setting him free.

Swamy had told a bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Jayant Nath at an earlier hearing that though the juvenile convict's term may have ended, but the court can "circumscribe" his movements.

The juvenile completes his three-year term in the observation home on Sunday.