Nirbhaya case: Why acting so late to stop juvenile's release, ask victim's parents

New Delhi: Questioning the role of the Centre and Delhi government, the parents of December 16 gang-rape victim on Sunday asked why they did not take action earlier to stop the imminent release of the juvenile convict.

Opposing the release of the juvenile, the victim's mother said, "Our fight is just on the issue that he (juvenile convict) must not come out. If he will come out then what is the point of hearing (by Supreme Court) or any other thing."

"All knew that he will be released so steps should have been taken during these three years," she said adding, "I want justice and stay on his release."

The reaction action Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) in a dramatic move approached the Supreme Court late last night to stay his release. In their order pronounced at 2 am, a vacation bench refused to stay his release, scheduled for today, by giving an urgent hearing and posted the matter for hearing tomorrow.

The victim's father too expressed unhappiness with the Centre and Delhi government for showing "helplessness" on the issue of release of the juvenile.

"What hearing? But what can we do? Whatever the court is doing is right. Our government, whether Centre or state, they only listen to you when you protest and get lathicharged, else they don't care. However, if proper hearing or verdict would have passed on this case, then we would not have seen this day," he said.

BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, who had filed a plea in the High Court against the juvenile's release, pointed to the "provisions" which have to be applied before the juvenile convict is formally released.

"According to rules of the Juvenile Justice Act, he can can be left out from the custody of the Juvenile Justice Board but he cannot be released as free person till management committee appointed for the purpose decides whether he is mentally sound, whether he has socially mainstreamed and that he has reformed."