Ashiana gangrape case: A little more wait for justice

LUCKNOW: The much awaited judgement in the Ashiana gang rape case was not pronounced on Monday as the court issued yet another date . Now the hearing in the case will take place on Wednesday.

“Since the judgment in the case was reserved more than 15 days back, there would be yet another round of hearing before it is pronounced. So a new date has been issued,” said Jalaj Gupta, the victim’s lawyer.

Meanwhile, sources in the court said that the accused Gaurav Shukla had filed a revision plea in the Supreme Court challenging the Juvenile Board’s decision on his age.

However, legal experts say that filing a revision petition in the Supreme Court does not restrict the fast track court from pronouncing the judgment.

Prof Roop Rekha Verma, secretary Saanjhi Duniya, who has been supporting the victim said, “It was really disappoint- ing that the judgment wasn’t delivered. But no matter how much the delay, we are confident of our victory.”

The victim who hasn’t lost patience and is optimistic about her victory said, “I have been waiting for 11 years and can wait for a few days more to see my perpetrator punished. The delay tactics prove that the accused is scared of the judgment and is trying to delay things.”

Madhu Garg, another activist supporting the victim, said, “We are prepared to fight the case till the end and ensure justice to the victim. We have witnessed how high court rejected the revision petition as there was no doubt over the age of the accused. But now that he wants to knock on the doors of the Supreme Court, we are ready to face the situation.”

On Friday, the high court had turned down the petition filed by the prime accused Gaurav Shukla, challenging the Juvenile Justice Board’s decision on his age row on March 18.