SC stays death penalty of two Dec 16 gang rape convicts

The Supreme Court Saturday stayed the execution of the death sentence of Mukesh and Pawan Gupta, two of the four convicts for the Dec 16, 2012 gang rape, whose death sentences was upheld by the Delhi High Court March 13.

A special bench of Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai and Justice Shiva Kirti Singh stayed the execution of the death sentence till March 31.

The court directed the registry to communicate its stay order forthwith.

It also directed the registry to place the matter before Chief Justice P. Sathasivam so that it can be listed before an appropriate bench.

"We stay the execution of the sentences of Pawan and Mukesh till March 31, 2014. We direct the registry to take this matter before the chief justice for registering before an appropriate bench. We direct the court registry to furnish a copy of this order to prison authorities forthwith," said Justice Desai.

Counsel M.L. Sharma appeared for petitioners Mukesh and Pawan Gupta.