Nirbhaya Rape Case: Fourth Convict Vinay Sharma Files Mercy Plea Before President Kovind

Earlier in the day, the apex court had dismissed the plea of Mukesh Singh who had challenged the rejection of his mercy petition by President Ram Nath Kovind.

Written by: India.com News Desk Edited by: Sharmita Kar

Published: January 29, 2020, 7:32 PM IST

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Vinay Sharma (File Photo)

New Delhi: Two days before the scheduled execution, fourth and final convict in the gruesome Nirbhaya gangrape case, Vinay Sharma, on Wednesday filed a mercy plea before President Ram Nath Kovind challenging his death sentence after the Supreme Court rejected petitions of the remaining three members.

Notably, the top court will hear the curative petition of convict Akshay Thakur tomorrow.

The five-judge bench of the apex court headed by Justice NV Ramanna, and comprising Justice Arun Mishra, Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman, Justice R Bhanumati and Justice Ashok Bhushan will hear the curative petition at 1 PM on Thursday.

Earlier in the day, the apex court had dismissed the plea of Mukesh Singh who had challenged the rejection of his mercy petition by President Ram Nath Kovind. “It can’t be said that the President didn’t apply his mind. Suffering in prison can’t be ground for mercy plea,” the bench had said.

Mukesh’s lawyer, Anjana Prakash, had alleged on Tuesday that Mukesh was being sexually assaulted in jail.

The four convicts –  Mukesh (32), Pawan Gupta (25), Vinay Sharma (26) and Akshay Kumar Singh (31) – were scheduled to be executed on January 22. It was delayed as Mukesh filed a mercy plea with the President. As per prison rules, a death row convict can only be hanged 14 days after the rejection of his mercy petition. The four were later scheduled to be executed at 6 AM on February 1, which has now become a question mark.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, Tihar Jail will make arrangements to bring Pawan executioner from Meerut. However, the Director-General refused to give more details citing security reasons.