Centre, Delhi government have failed us: Asha

Centre, Delhi government have failed us: Asha
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Highlights

People in huge number gathered at India Gate on Sunday evening to protest the release of the juvenile offender in the horrific December 16 gangrape. According to reports, the police have imposed section 144 at India Gate to avoid violence. The juvenile convict was released and sent to an NGO at an undisclosed destination with police no longer guarding him.

People in huge number gathered at India Gate on Sunday evening to protest the release of the juvenile offender in the horrific December 16 gangrape. According to reports, the police have imposed section 144 at India Gate to avoid violence. The juvenile convict was released and sent to an NGO at an undisclosed destination with police no longer guarding him.

The freedom for the 20 year-old convict came as parents of the gangrape victim continued their protest for the second day today along with activists protesting against his release and demanding death for him. “We have left him with an NGO,” police sources said."Both the Centre and the Delhi government have failed us. What lesson has the administration learnt in the past three years since that incident," Jyoti's mother Asha Devi told India Today TV. Asha said the women's panel's move was "just for show". "What's the point of filing the plea so late that the hearing takes place after his release? They had enough time to act... (but) acted too late and only after we protested," Asha Devi said. The Centre said it had opposed the release. Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said, "In principle, the central government opposed the release of the juvenile offender at this stage for which we have presented our position before the honourable Delhi High Court."

"Everyone except the administration, the system of this country felt the pain that my daughter went through. The juvenile accused my daughter saying 'Didi ye bus Dwarka jayegi, aa jao'. But what should I tell the administration. Leaders come to seek votes and claim they will fight for women safety. But look what have they done. Nothing. Everyone is trying to save the convict," Asha Devi said. BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, who had filed a plea in the High Court against the juvenile’s release, pointed to the “provisions” which have to be applied before the juvenile convict is formally released.

“According to rules of the Juvenile Justice Act, he can be left out from the custody of the Juvenile Justice Board but he cannot be released as a free person till management committee appointed for the purpose decides whether he is mentally sound, whether he has socially mainstreamed and that he has reformed.” BJP spokesman Nalin Kohli said it is a social and legal issue and not a political issue, adding that people are concerned about loopholes and limitations of law.

“The matter is pending because the change to the law has been envisaged but it has not been finalised because it is not passed by the Rajya Sabha,” he said. Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit accused Delhi government and DCW of “doing politics” over the issue, questioning the DCW chairperson’s move to file SLP in Supreme Court over the issue on late Saturday night, hours before the juvenile’s scheduled release.
“Both Delhi government and DCW are there for many days. If you feel that the person should not be released then you had plenty of time. And when it became an emotional issue among people, then you do politics. What was the need to go to the court at 12 in the night when the High Court’s judgement had come 2-3 days ago,” he said.

His party colleague Randip Singh Surjewala termed the whole issue as “sensitive” and concerned with emotions of the people of the country and sought to know what steps were being pondered by the Centre and Delhi government to prevent its repetition. “The convict of horrific gangrape is being released. Will Modi will take cognizance. What steps will be taken to stop such persons who may commit such crimes again,” he said. Woman activist Kavita Shrivastava on Sunday came out in support of him, saying he should be given a second chance. "What happened on 16 December was very unfortunate, but it is important to note that such juveniles are used by adults. I think, the boy should be given another chance to live,"
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