Dec 16 rape convicts asked for their last wishes

NEW DELHI: Tihar jail authorities have asked the four convicts of the December 16 gang rape case to list their last wish before they are hanged on February 1.

Senior officials said though the request was made by the administration last week, none of the four have responded yet.

Additional inspector general, Delhi Prisons, Rajkumar, confirmed that the four have been asked in writing to tell authorities their last wish. “We are awaiting a reply from them. None of them have responded so far,” he said.

Each person on death row is granted a chance to request jail authorities for a final wish before they are executed.

Rajkumar said only when the four tell jail officials what their last wish is will authorities concerned take a decision on whether they can be fulfilled. “Not every wish can be fulfilled. There are certain rules. The administration will take a decision once they revert to us in writing,” the AIG said.

Officials from the jail also said the four convicts have been asked to name any person they wish to meet a final time. They have also been given time to transfer any property or belongings they own to anyone they wish, said an official who did not wish to be named.

The officer added that they have explained the process to the four men, and told them that the prison administration will help them prepare their will or meet their families.

At present, each of them is being monitored by CCTV cameras. In addition, two to three jail guards watch over them roundthe-clock.

EACH PERSON ON DEATH ROW IS GRANTED A CHANCE TO REQUEST JAIL AUTHORITIES FOR A FINAL WISH BEFORE THEY ARE EXECUTED