MHA Sends Mercy Plea Of Nirbhaya Gangrape Convict To President Kovind; Recommends Rejection

President Kovind, on Friday, said that the rape convicts under POCSO Act should not have right to file mercy petition

New Delhi: The Ministry of Home Affairs sent the file of mercy plea of the 2012 gang rape convict Vinay Sharma to President Ram Nath Kovind of Friday and recommended rejection of the mercy plea. The rejection of the mercy plea of the Nirbhaya gang rape comes at a time when there is nationwide outrage over the gang rape and murder of a 25-year-old veterinarian in Hyderabad. The move came two days after the file rejecting the mercy plea was sent by Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal to the Home Ministry. The file has been forwarded to the President for consideration and final decision. The Home Ministry has also commented in the file recommending the rejection of the mercy petition of one of the convicts in the Nirbhaya gang-rape case, the official said. Parents of Nirbhaya have moved the President's office seeking rejection of the mercy petition filed by Sharma.The letter states that this mercy petition is a deliberate attempt to avoid the execution of death sentence  and hamper the dissemination of justice. Vinay Sharma, one of the convicts facing the gallows for the rape-and-murder of a 23-year-old paramedic student, had filed the mercy petition before the President. Nirbhaya was gang-raped on December 16, 2012. She later succumbed to her injuries. The brutality of the rape had rocked the nation leading to massive protests. Rape convicts under POCSO Act should not have right to file mercy petition, Says President Speaking at an event in Sirohi, Rajasthan, President said “women safety is a serious issue. Rape convicts under POCSO Act should not have right to file mercy petition,” he said. “Parliament should review mercy petitions,” he added. Also watch: