Release of man convicted over Delhi gang-rape sparks protests

The youngest convict in a fatal gang-rape in New
Delhi has been released from a youth correctional
facility, sparking street protests and
condemnation from the victim’s parents.
The rape and murder of 23-year-old student Jyoti
Singh on a bus in Delhi in 2012 caused global
outrage and triggered reform of legislation
relating to sexual offences. Her family allowed
her to be named in an attempt to end the stigma
facing sex attack victims in India.
The freed man, who was 17 at the time of the
crime and cannot be named, was sentenced to
three years in a reform facility in August 2013 and
finished his term this weekend. Under Indian law,
regardless of the crime, under-18s can be
imprisoned for a maximum of three years.
On Friday Delhi’s high court rejected a petition to
extend the sentence, saying that the man had
served the maximum under the law. Several
activists and politicians demanded that he not be
released until it could be proven that he had
reformed. The supreme court rejected an appeal
against his release on Monday.
Days after the third anniversary of the attack,
Indian police confirmed that the rapist, now 20,
had completed his spell behind bars. He is now
being supervised by a non-governmental agency,
which will help him to receive training to become
a tailor.
“The convict was handed over to an NGO.
He is no longer under the jurisdiction of the
police,” a police spokesman told AFP. A
source added: “He has been given a new
identity and his criminal record has been
expunged.”
The prospect of the rapist walking free has
revived public anger over the attack. On Sunday
protests led by Singh’s parents took place near
the India Gate monument in the centre of the
capital.

“I am forced to protest on the road as this
government appears blind to the atrocities
being committed against women in India,”
said Singh’s mother, Asha, who was
dragged away along with other protesters
by police.
“When will the government wake up? What
kind of murder or crime against a woman
will make the government see reason? This
government wants women to suffer and
die. Society will decide what to do with this
government … I just want justice, I want a
stay on his release.” she said, according to
local media translation.
Singh’s father said:
“Not only in India but also abroad, people
do not want his release, as he had not
done the act of a juvenile. The prime
minister has the power to stop his release,
but no one is taking any action.”
“What can I say? There are no words to
describe our disappointment,” he said,
referring to the Supreme Court’s decision to
reject the appeal against the rapist’s
release.
“We don’t understand all these laws. We
only know that the system has failed us.”
Four other men were sentenced to death in the
case, and a fifth, the alleged ringleader, died in
custody in 2013.
The four adults who went to trial confessed to
the attack but later retracted their confessions,
saying they had been tortured into admitting their
involvement. Legal appeals against their death
sentences are pending in the supreme court.
Legal experts say Indian law is clear on the rights
of juveniles and the petition is unlikely to
succeed.