The 2012 Delhi gang rape and murder, commonly known as the Nirbhaya Case, was a rape and murderous assault that occurred on 16 December 2012 in the Munirka area of South Delhi. The incident occurred when Jyoti Singh, a 22-year-old physiotherapy intern, was beaten, gang-raped, and tortured on a private bus in which she was travelling with her male friend, Awindra Pratap Pandey. There were six other people in the bus, including the driver, who raped the woman and beat her friend. She was rushed to Delhi’s Safdarjung Hospital for treatment and eleven days after the attack, she was airlifted to Singapore, where she died two days later.
| Location | Delhi, India |
| Date | 16 December 2012 |
| Attack type | Femicide, torture murder, gang rape, kidnapping, robbery, assault |
| Deaths | Jyoti Singh |
| Injured | Awindra Pratap Pandey(Jyoti singh’s male Friend) |
| Perpetrators/Criminals | 1. Vinay Sharma 2. Pawan Gupta 3. Akshay Thakur 4. Ram Singh(died before trial) 5. Mukesh Singh(Ram Singh’s brother) 6. Mohammed Afroz(Juvenile) |
| Verdict/Decision | Guilty on all counts |
| Sentence/Punishment | 1. Death for four adult convicts 2. Mohammed Afroz sentenced to the maximum of three years in prison under Juvenile Justice laws when the crime was committed |
What happened to the Juvenile in the Nirbhaya Case
One of the six accused in the Nirbhaya case was a juvenile at the time of the crime. Due to India’s Juvenile Justice Act, he was tried separately from the adults involved.
- Conviction: He was found guilty of rape and murder and sentenced to the maximum punishment allowed under the Juvenile Justice Act, which was three years in a reform facility.
- Release: After serving his sentence, he was released.
- Identity: His identity has been kept confidential.
- Current Status: There have been reports suggesting he is working as a cook in South India under a new identity.
FAQs on “Nirbhaya case”
What was the Nirbhaya case?
The Nirbhaya case refers to the brutal gang rape and murder of a 23-year-old physiotherapy intern in Delhi, India, on December 16, 2012. The victim, referred to as “Nirbhaya” (fearless), was attacked by six individuals on a moving bus and subsequently succumbed to her injuries.
Who were the accused in the Nirbhaya case?
The six accused were Ram Singh(bus driver), Mukesh Singh, Vinay Sharma, Pawan Gupta, Akshay Thakur, and a juvenile whose name cannot be disclosed due to legal reasons. Ram Singh was found dead in his cell in March 2013.
What were the charges against the accused?
The accused were charged with various offenses including rape, murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, unnatural offenses, robbery, and criminal conspiracy.
What was the outcome of the trial?
Ram Singh committed suicide in jail. The juvenile was sentenced to three years in a reform facility, the maximum punishment under the Juvenile Justice Act at that time. Mukesh Singh, Akshay Thakur, Pawan Gupta, and Vinay Sharma were sentenced to death and executed in 2020.
When were the accused hanged?
After multiple appeals and delays, the four adult convicts were hanged on March 20, 2020.
How did the public and government react to the Nirbhaya case?
The case sparked protests across the country demanding justice and strict laws against sexual violence. The government set up the Justice Verma Committee, which recommended significant legal reforms.
What legal changes were made following the Nirbhaya case?
In response to public outcry, the Indian government enacted the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013. The amendments introduced harsher penalties for rape, including the death penalty in serious cases, and broadened the definition of sexual offences.
What role did the media play in the Nirbhaya case?
The media played a crucial role in highlighting the issue, generating public outrage, and putting pressure on the government for action.
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