Protesters hail verdict outside court

Hundreds of people continued demonstration outside Saket court on Friday and hailed the verdict, shouting that justice had been done. They also maintained that the juvenile should also be hanged.

Police arranged tight security around the court premises and deputed 300 police personnel led by Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) P S Kushwah. Among those outside the court compound were groups who were chanting slogans against the convicts. All of them cheered once they learnt of the verdict.

“We are happy with the judgment. Higher courts should also give death sentence whenever they hear this case,” Smita Sinha, a member of the All India Mahila Sanskriti Sangathan said. Manoj Yadav, who is with the All India Democratic Youth Organisation, said that the it is just the beginning. “We have to ensure safety for all women,” he said.

The government was also asked to change the The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act by reducing the age of ‘juvenile’ to 16 instead of 18. Alka Chaudhery, a social activist said: “We are happy with the judgement, but we are not happy with the earlier decision where the juvenile was given three years punishment,” she said.

Delhi State Women President of Shiromani Akali Dal Mandeep Kaur Bakshi also took part in the demonstration. She said that earlier people in the country did not believe in justice, but the verdict will now change the scenario. “People will now fear to commit heinous crimes. After the judgement. women will also feel more secure and safe,” she added.

Police were expecting large crowd to turn up outside the court due to which security arrangements were kept tightened. Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Kushwah said roads leading to the court were barricaded and only vehicles belonging to media were allowed.

Entry and exit gates of the court were also closed when the verdict was about to be announced. None, including lawyers or mediapersons, were being allowed to enter o leave the premises. It continued for about an hour.

“It ensured that no untoward incident similar to possible attack on defence lawyers on Wednesday could be repeated,” Kushwah added. Special security was also provided to defence lawyers on Friday.

Safdarjung Hospital says it played its part well

Calling the death sentence to the rapists a punishment proportionate to the crime, doctors at Safdarjung Hospital said the treatment provided to the victim by the hospital enabled her to give the necessary testimony against the rapists that finally sealed their fate, reports DHNS.

“The quantum of punishment to the rapists is proportionate to the gruesome crime committed by them. They deserved the punishment,” said Dr B D Athani, medical superintendent of the hospital. “Though the victim unfortunately lost her life, our doctors and staff members worked round-the-clock and beyond their capacity to provide crucial treatment and care to her for eight days. That helped in enabling her to give her testimony twice against the rapists. I would want to pat my hospital staff for handling her case in an exemplary manner,” he added. From handling the victim’s family to dealing with the media, the hospital staff managed it very maturely, said the medical superintendent.

“Apart from that, we had to deal with her family in a sensitive manner, make sure her identity does not leak out and give regular and accurate updates on her condition,” he told Deccan Herald, adding that they also had to make sure other patients do not suffer in the process. But it was providing medical details to police, cooperating with them and doctors acting as witnesses, which hospital authorities said played an important role in the conviction of the rapists.

Doctors hope the hospital gets its due after staying in the shadows of AIIMS till now. “By providing the best of treatment and handling this case in a sensitive manner, we showed we are capable of providing the best services in a humane manner. I hope this and other cases that the hospital has handled over the past one year helps in stopping the generally negative portrayal of the hospital,” said a senior doctor who did not wish to be identified.

Apart from the gang rape victim, JNU student Roshni Gupta was admitted to the hospital with serious head injuries two months ago. Doctors at the hospital managed to save her life.