[Live Updates] Nirbhaya Case : Delhi HC Hearing Against Stay On Execution

Judge has arrived, Rebecca John to resume her arguments

Judge has taken a break for 10 minutes.

John questions the role played by Centre in these proceedings.

'What have you done? Why have you suddenly woken up so late?', she asks.  

John argues that the convict on death row has no obligation to hush up the proceedings. It's his constitutional right to avail all legal remedies till their last breath.

'Convicts can't be condemned for availing their rights', she submits

'I'm making these submissions as even death row convicts, who are hated by society, have rights', John submits

John argues that much has been said about the delay being caused due to coordinated strategy of convicts. However, same doesn't stand as SC did not dismiss any of the petitions on the ground of delay, they were dismissed on merits 

John argues that during the entire gestation of the execution proceedings UOI was not a party, therefore, this is the first time that UOI has superimposed itself on these proceedings. Why they have done so, this court must examine

John argues that issuance of death warrant is an exclusive domain of the trial court .

John submits that UOI has never been a party to any of the execution proceedings. Those proceedings were initiated on the behest of victim's parents.

John objects to the present application by arguing that the law on the subject is not clear, and that's why the state sought a clarification from the SC regarding whether convicts can be singled out for execution.