Nirbhaya case: Justice in four-and-a-half year is still a miracle, says Maneka Gandhi

New Delhi: Union minister Maneka Gandhi on Friday said the Supreme Court verdict in the December 16 gangrape case will act as a “severe deterrent” against such heinous crimes.

The minister’s reaction came after the apex court held that the nature and manner of the crime “devastated social trust”, and fell in the ‘rarest of rare’ category warranting death penalty for the four convicts.

“A judgement like this was necessary to send a stern message to people who commit such heinous crimes, and future offenders, especially juveniles, who may commit such acts,” she told reporters on the sidelines of an event at her women and child development ministry office.

Asked if justice was delayed, she said, “It has been close to five years, but in this country getting justice takes decades. So justice definitely has been done. I am happy. The whole country is happy.”

She, however, underlined that there was a need to fast- track such cases. “Justice delivered in four-and-a-half years is still a miracle,” she said. The minister also empathised with the victim’s family, saying these five years must have been excruciatingly painful for the parents.

The Minister, when asked about the convicted juvenile, who was sentenced three years of punishment in a reform home, said, “We wanted to get punishment for him too, but the law at that time didn’t allow. Over the period, we got the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act amended for heinous crimes.”

As per the amended legislation, juveniles aged 16 years and above will now be tried under laws for adults for heinous crimes.