Shiv Sena flays release of juvenile convict

MUMBAI: Criticising the release of the juvenile convict in the Delhi gangrape case, the Shiv Sena today said setting him free is like making the victim "go through the ordeal once again".

The Sena, known for aggressive positioning on many issues, sought to know if a juvenile terrorist, trained in Pakistan, indulges in terror activities, he will be released within three years in the absence of a law.

"When Nirbhaya's parents protested against the release of the juvenile convict, they along with other protesters were detained by the police. This is surprising, because a person, who rapes and murders a girl, is termed as a juvenile and released after three years. This, in itself, is like making the gangrape victim go through her ordeal once again," the Sena said in an editorial in party mouthpiece 'Saamana'.

In a veiled dig at ally BJP, the Sena also said that those who sought to take political mileage from the incident are in power today but they are yet to formulate a strong law that would not allow the juvenile convict to be released.

"If tomorrow, an enemy like Pakistan chooses to give terror training to children under the age of 18 and let them loose to carry out terrorist activities, will such children be released in just three years?" the Sena asked.

Seeking to disagree with the Supreme Court's decision of dismissing the plea against the release of the juvenile, Sena said the decision failed to give justice to Nirbhaya.

The apex court had yesterday dismissed Delhi Commission for Women chief Swati Maliwal's last-minute plea against the release of the juvenile convict, saying "there has to be a clear legislative sanction" in this regard.

On December 16, 2012, the 23-year-old girl was beaten and gangraped by six persons in a moving bus, including the driver and the juvenile convict. The girl later succumbed to her injuries. The incident was widely condemned, both in India and abroad.