New Delhi: The juvenile convict in 2012 Delhi Nirbhaya gang-rape case could be a free man unless the Delhi High Court extends his detention in support of centre's apprehensions.
The Central government on Monday sought the extension of observation home stay of the juvenile convict amid concerns that he may have been radicalised or has not been fully reformed.
Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Sanjay Jain, who is representing the Centre, told the division bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Jayant Nath that several mandatory requirements were missing from the post-release rehabilitation plan of the convict, IANS reported.
Meanwhile, the court has reserved its order on Subramanian Swamy's plea against the juvenile's release after hearing the Centre's submission, PTI reported.
Wrapping up its hearing, the court indicated it will take into account the IB report and the rehabilitation plan filed by Delhi government before taking a call on the juvenile's release.
BJP leader Subramanian Swamy had filed a petition before the HC seeking extension of the juvenile convict's sentence until all aspects including mental health and post-release rehabilitation plan are finalised by the authorities. The convict is scheduled to be released on Sunday.
The 20-year-old, who has served the maximum detention period of three years permitted under the Juvenile Justice Act, is scheduled to be released on December 20.
Last month, after the intelligence reports claimed that juvenile had been radicalised during his stay in the rehabilitation centre, Delhi Police was contemplating to book him under the National Security Act.
The juvenile was the youngest of six men who raped and brutally tortured a 23-year-old medical student on a moving bus in the national capital three years ago.
Nirbhaya's family, which had demanded that the now 21-year-old be kept in jail, has expressed disappointment over the development.
"He was the most brutal of all the six and he is showing no signs of remorse about what he has done. His release will be a threat to the society. We don't want that what has happened with out daughter is repeated. If at all he is to be released, his face should be shown to the world," the father of the victim had said.
Juvenile crime graph is rising at an alarming rate in India. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), 48,230 juveniles were apprehended for various offences during 2014. Of these 36,138 were in the age group of 16-18 years. Of the total 2,144 juveniles allegedly involved in rape, 1,488 were in the age group of 16-18 years. Similarly, of the 1,163 juveniles accused of murder, 844 belonged to 16-18 years age group.
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