'We wanted death penalty but through proper channel'

Hours after the four accused in the rape-and-murder case of Hyderabad veterinarian were killed in an encounter, NCW chairperson Rekha Sharma on Thursday said though the women rights body wanted the death penalty for the accused, it should have come through a proper judicial channel.

"We wanted the death penalty but it should have been through the judicial channel. I do not know under what circumstances they were shot and this has to come out after the inquiry. So only the police can tell the truth or after the inquiry, it would come out," the National Commission for Women chief told PTI over the phone.

All four accused in the rape-and-murder case of a 26-year-old woman veterinarian near here last month were killed in an exchange of fire with police on Friday morning, police said.