Nirbhaya gang rape convicts executed at Delhi prison, bringing shocking 7+ year case to a close after countless delays
The four men convicted for the grisly 2012 gang rape and murder of a young student in India have been executed by hanging, finally bringing the seven-year ‘Nirbhaya’ case to an end after a lengthy ordeal of appeals and delays.
The assailants were hanged at New Delhi’s Tihar Jail 5:30am local time Friday, following a marathon legal proceeding the night prior which saw last-ditch attempts to appeal their sentence shot down.
“Now I will get peace,” Asha Devi, the mother of the victim, – who has come to be known as ‘Nirbhaya’, or ‘the fearless one’ in Hindi – told PTI after the mens’ final hanging date was set in stone early Friday morning.
The ghastly crime saw a group of attackers descended upon a 23-year-old student and her male companion riding on a bus in India’s capital on the evening of December 16, 2012, savagely beating both and taking turns raping the young student. Though the woman lived through the initial onslaught, she later died of severe internal injuries, while her friend was critically injured but survived the encounter.
Six men were arrested for the horrific assault, but one of them – a juvenile at the time of the incident – was tried as a minor and released in 2015 after a three-year sentence. An adult suspect, Ram Singh, was found dead in his jail cell in March 2013, a suspected suicide, but police never ruled out murder.
Unfortunately, the youth in this case was the worst of the bunch. It was the unthinkable atrocity he did to her that eventually caused her death, I believe. He's already been free for 5 years and was assisted in setting up a shop.
The remaining four men – Vinay Sharma, Mukesh Kumar Singh, Pawan Gupta and Akshay Singh – were convicted together for rape, murder, unnatural offences and destruction of evidence in 2013, with all sentenced to execution by hanging within days of the verdict.
So began a years-long process of delays, which saw each convict exhaust a seemingly endless series of appeals that repeatedly pushed back their date of execution. At various points throughout the ordeal, the courts accused the men of “delaying tactics,” but nonetheless recognized their right to appeal.
A Delhi high court upheld the death sentence in 2014, prompting the men to bring the case to India’s Supreme Court, the country’s highest judicial body. After years of stop-start proceedings, the court struck down their final remaining appeal last December – some seven years after the attack.
Though some of the convicts ran out of legal remedies before the others, Indian law stipulates that suspects jointly convicted of the same capital offence must be executed on the same date, meaning that as long as one of the men pursued appeals, none could be hanged.
A judge in Delhi issued death warrants for all four men in January, setting their execution for later the same month, but the process was to be frustrated yet again, with some of the convicts filing final mercy pleas to President Ram Nath Kovind, and their lawyers making desperate last-minute attempts to delay their hanging. Three additional death warrants would be issued in the weeks that followed, seeing the execution date pushed back to February 1, then March 3, and finally to March 20.
Ripple effects
The brutal crime and the ensuing legal row shocked the conscience of India, stoking nationwide protests which helped to push through a number of changes to the country’s sexual assault laws, including instituting the death penalty for the rape of minors. The legal definition of rape was also broadened in the wake of the case, while other crimes, including acid attacks, sexual harassment, stalking and voyeurism were added to the criminal code.
Acid attacks weren't part of the criminal code?
In addition to a number of books, comics and TV shows, the case has even inspired a Netflix crime drama series, ‘Delhi Crime,’ based on the attack and the work of police detectives tasked with tracking down the culprits.
Search this blog for 'Delhi bus' for more stories on this case.
'These were disgusting incidents' - Radcliffe, UK, man
gets 11 years for raping young girl
In October 2019, police were called to reports that a child had been sexually assaulted by James Bosheya in Coronation Gardens, Radcliffe.
The 51-year-old was arrested and taken into police custody for questioning. He was subsequently charged with rape and attempted rape of the girl.
Bosheya pleaded guilty and, today (Friday, March 20), was sentenced at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court to 11 years in prison.
Detective constable, Craig Bowring, said: “These were disgusting incidents – Bosheya satisfied his perverted sexual desires by targeting an innocent young girl.
“Bosheya is now a convicted paedophile who is going to serve a long custodial sentence. The family are relieved that this ordeal is over, however it may have a lifelong impact on the victim.
“I would like to commend the young girl for her bravery in speaking to police officers. Despite the tragic circumstances, she greatly assisted us with our enquiries and helped us to secure Bosheya’s conviction and, subsequently, today’s result.
Indian man kills daughters after they were
accused of stealing a cell phone
accused of stealing a cell phone
In the top story above, it took 8 years to execute four of the most horrible men in India. At the same time, it took one insane man 1 day to execute both of his daughters for allegedly stealing a cell phone.
IANS
Mainpuri: In a shocking incident, a man shot dead his two daughters after they were accused of having stolen a mobile phone from a relative's house at Dharu village in Uttar Pradesh.
The man was arrested after he called up police and informed them of the incident.
The shooting took place late on Wednesday night when the father, Sukhdev Sharma, shot dead his daughters - Neha, 18, and Anamika, 20.
ASP Om Prakash Singh said the accused's family had gone to meet some relatives in the village on Tuesday. The mobile of one of the relatives was stolen and the blame fell on Neha and Anamika.
Though the allegation was not proved, Sharma was so enraged that he returned home late on Wednesday and shot dead both his daughters.
Astonishing lack of self-control and love for his daughters.
The bodies have been sent for postmortem and further investigations are underway.
Dharu Village, UP
Public anger grows in South Korea over
Telegram underage sexual abuse ring
By Kim Bo-gyungTelegram underage sexual abuse ring
The Korea Herald
Suspect Cho hides his face as he leaves the Seoul Central District Court on Thursday. Yonhap
The petition urges authorities to make public the full identities of the clients of sexual content created and distributed by a ring allegedly run by an arrested man surnamed Cho.
“There is no doubt this crime against minors is appalling and repulsive, and should never recur. But this crime will recur in South Korea, if 260,000 customers face no penalties. There is no use in punishing the operators and suppliers only, not that they will be properly punished,” the petition reads.
“Users who were in the Telegram chatroom are all sex offenders. … I must know. Please reveal the full identity of all the users so that if the state will not protect children from child sex offenders we can do so ourselves.”
The petition was filed last week, a day after Cho’s arrest, and 1.05 million people were in support of it as of Sunday morning.
That's 2% of the population (52 m) in just a few days - impressive!
Cho, a man in his 20s known by his Telegram nickname “Doctor,” was arrested Thursday for allegedly victimizing at least 74 people, including 16 minors, police said. He is accused of sexual exploitation and assault on top of sharing content on Telegram since December 2018.
Whether Cho’s identity will be revealed is to be decided in the coming week by a committee of three officials within the police agency and four outside the agency.
According to police, Cho tricked victims into sending him nude photos that included their face, saying it was part of a high-paying part-time job.
Cho then used the nude pictures to blackmail victims, whom he referred to as “slaves,” to obtain videos of a sexual nature, and distributed them across Telegram chat rooms.
Cho is believed to have run three types of paid chat rooms, charging between 200,000 won and 250,000 won ($160-$200) in cryptocurrency for level 1 chatroom, 700,000 won for level 2 and 1.5 million won for level 3.
Police confiscated some 130 million won in cash at Cho’s home and are tracking proceeds of crime.
Thirteen of Cho’s alleged accomplices have been apprehended, of which four have been arrested and referred to the prosecution while nine are under police investigation, according to police.
What a concept! Naming the clientele of paedophile providers. Of course, it can never happen as it would lead to vigilantism, but it would sure drain a lot of the swamp in Korea.
Court security guard's phone played adult content
during NZ child sex abuse trial
Edward Gay, Stuff
A First Security guard has lost his job after his phone played adult content during a child sex abuse trial (file photo). DAVID WHITE/STUFF
The incident happened in January as prosecutor Tiffany Cooper launched the Crown's case against James Morris, also known as Ian Charles Phipps.
The former Scoutmaster was found guilty of sexual offending against five children over four decades.
The First Security employee was seated next to Morris in the dock at the time.
Crown prosecutor Tiffany Cooper continued her opening address, despite the cellphone interruption.
CHRIS MCKEEN/STUFF
The guard reached for his phone but after failing to turn it off, he rushed into the cells.
Cooper continued her address to the jury, despite the interruption.
The guard no longer works for First Security.
The company's chief executive Tim Covic declined to be interviewed but the company issued a statement, describing the incident as "inappropriate".
"First Security protocol prohibits personal mobile devices in the courtroom, and expects all personnel to adhere to high standards of behaviour and its company values in line with our Code of Conduct and the expectations of its clients."
A spokeswoman confirmed staff have been reminded of the protocol since the incident.
Former Scout leader James Morris, also known as Ian Phipps, has a history of abusing young boys that goes back to the late 1970s. CHRIS MCKEEN/STUFF
Sexual abuse survivor advocate Louise Nicholas said the security guard had probably heard so many harrowing details in court that "he just becomes immune to it".
"It always worries me that court clerks, registrars, all these people that have to be in court, hearing all this stuff, I often wonder what supervision they get."
Nicholas said after a recent child sex abuse case, she ensured the survivor and her family were safe. She then got help for herself. "Talking is huge, so I don't take it home to my family ... It's not our stuff to hold what we hear."
She said having empathy was critical to her work. "When you don't feel that, it's time to leave, you've dehumanised the job."
Victims' advocate Louise Nicholas, pictured in 2015. ROSS GIBLIN/STUFF
Ministry of Justice spokeswoman Toni Grimshaw said many court staff deal with distressing details in their day-to-day work.
She said counselling and post-trial trauma debriefs are available and "well utilised" by staff. Likewise, First Security also provides counselling services to staff.
Stuff applied to the court to listen to the audio of the guard's cellphone, captured by microphones in the court. The application was opposed by lawyers acting for First Security.
"The principal effect of releasing the document would be to embarrass the guard," the lawyers submitted.
"Counsel submits that it is appropriate to take this into account and, in the absence of compelling reasons, to not release the document."
Judge Soana Moala declined the application, saying the audio was "inappropriate". The guard had lost his job and other employees of the company had been reminded of their professional obligations, she said. "There is no public interest in having this reported. It is salacious and likely to cause further harm to the guard involved and his family."
Even though he was never named?
Ken Clearwater from Male Survivors Aotearoa often appears in court to support complainants.
Ken Clearwater said he wanted to see more training for those involved in the justice system. ALDEN WILLIAMS/STUFF
Ken Clearwater said he wanted to see more training for those involved in the justice system.
He said the incident was a wake-up call for those involved in child sex abuse cases to take care.
Clearwater would like to see all those involved in the criminal justice system – court staff, judges and lawyers – undergo specialised training in how to be more accommodating to sexual abuse survivors.
"Some people have said [giving evidence] is actually worse than the sexual violation itself."
Of that, I have no doubt.
Kidnapping, sex charges laid against Alberta man after
8-y/o abducted; more victims are likely
CTV News Edmonton8-y/o abducted; more victims are likely
EDMONTON -- A man has been arrested after an eight-year-old girl was abducted and sexually assaulted nearly two weeks ago.
The abduction happened on March 11 in the McQueen neighbourhood.
The girl was walking home in the area of 144 Street and 110 Avenue when a man in a vehicle pulled over, pulled her into his vehicle, sexually assaulted her and then dropped her off nearby, according to Edmonton police.
"The girl immediately reported the incident to her parents who were looking for her at the time," said Det. Amanda Ross on March 12.
The abductor was described as a light-skinned man in his late 20s to mid-30s with mid-length or short hair and facial hair. He was driving a white four-door car or SUV.
On Saturday, neighbours said heavily armed tactical officers arrested a man in a home just two blocks from where the abduction happened. Neighbours say a white Jeep was also towed from the house where the arrest was made.
A woman who said she is the man’s mother spoke to a CTV News Edmonton camera after the arrest.
"I do live here,” she said. "In this house where they just arrested someone for falsely. I know you’re recording this, so I’ll just say they arrested someone falsely."
Wade Stene is facing six charges in connection with the incident, including kidnapping, sexual assault with a weapon, invitation to sexual touching, sexual interference, making child pornography and possession of child pornography.
Police say he lived and worked in multiple locations in Alberta and B.C., including Drayton Valley, Fort McMurray, Vernon and Kelowna, and they believe there may be more victims in some of these locations.
Anyone who believes they may have been victimized by Stene is asked to call their local police, or Edmonton police at 780-423-4567.
Lincs paedophile couple who met on Tinder jailed for 48 years after 'sinking to depths of depravity'
By Telegraph Reporters
A paedophile couple who met on Tinder have been jailed for 48 years after "sinking to the depths of depravity" to satisfy their own sexual urges.
Rebecca Holloway, 26, and Oliver Wilson, 28, were charged with rape and sexual assault after police investigating Wilson found online conversations between the pair.
The discussion involved graphic details about the sexual abuse and rape of a young girl and further sexual abuse of a young boy in 2017.
Passing sentence at Teeside Crown Court, judge Paul Watson QC said Wilson and Holloway's text talk about sexual activity with one of the victims made for some of the most depraved and vile reading he had encountered.
Holloway, of Grimsby, and Wilson, Donington, Lincolnshire, admitted two offences of rape of a child, including on multiple occasions and conspiracy to sexually assault a child under 13. Holloway also admitted making and distributing indecent images of children.
Wilson also admitted rape, assault by penetration and making indecent photographs of children.
He told police after he was arrested that he and Holloway were sleeping together for about a year and Holloway said that they met on the Tinder dating site.
In separate offences, Wilson was found guilty at Grimsby Crown Court of 11 charges of rape and sexual abuse of a young girl.
Wilson was handed a prison sentence of 34½ years and Holloway was jailed for 13½ years.
The judge told Holloway: "You were there encouraging Wilson when he was sexually abusing the girl and you played your part in the vile sexual acts to which she was subjected.
"You derived perverted sexual pleasure from what he was doing. You were a willing, even enthusiastic, participant in what happened.
"The full extent of the long-term impact of what you two did to the girl may never be known. But it is clear that it has had a profound effect upon her."
Prosecutor Gordon Stables said that police became aware of Wilson in August 2017 after a paedophile online investigation revealed that he was showing great interest in buying used children's underwear on eBay.
There was a "clear sexual interest in children" in online conversations and discussions about pictures of underwear.
Holloway had no previous convictions and Wilson had youth court convictions.
Indiana man arrested for child exploitation
after Australian alert + 60 new child victims
Australian Federal PoliceSierra Leone Times
CANBERRA, Australia - A 35 year old American man has been arrested and charged in the U.S. over alleged child sex and exploitation material offences after police from the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) identified and tracked the man online.
The ACCCE notified Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) after its Covert Online Engagement Team (COET) identified a user from an Internet forum based in America allegedly producing and uploading a series of explicit images depicting a young female child.
Homeland Security Investigations officers rescued the child victim and arrested the accused at his home in Rushville, Indiana on Friday.
In a separate investigation, the ACCCE COET infiltrated a child sex offender network operating in the dark net that resulted in the interception of 3,500 images and video files depicting the sexual exploitation of children.
The material was immediately reviewed by the ACCCE Victim Identification Team, resulting in the detection of 60 previously unidentified child victims and the addition of content to 66 separate cases that are being investigated by the global law enforcement community.
"The consumption, production and dissemination of child abuse material has horrific lifelong impacts on its victims," Australian Federal Police (AFP) Acting Commander ACCCE and Child Protection Paula Hudson said Friday.
"Our commitment to these investigations will not cease despite the challenging circumstances we may face here in Australia and across the globe due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The AFP, together with our state and international partners will continue to work tirelessly to protect the most vulnerable in our community - our children."
"Anyone involved in the consumption, production and dissemination of child abuse material, whether it is in Australia or abroad, be warned, we will find you and you will face severe penalties."
"This has come at critical time," said Adam Parks, the HSI Attache to Australia. "More so than ever, children are online for their schooling, to socialise with their friends and family, and to play games. Let this be a warning that law enforcement is undeterred by COVID-19 and remains on-duty to keep our children safe in Australia, the U.S., and online."
Members of the public who have any information about people involved in the possession or sharing of child exploitation material are urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. You can also make a report online by alerting the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation via the Report Abuse button at www.accce.gov.au/report.
Surabaya court sentences ex-principal to 'light'
10 months for child sexual abuse of students
Wahyoe BoediwardhanaThe Jakarta Post
The sentence was significantly shorter than the prosecution's demand of six years.
The judges had charged the former principal under Article 281 of the Criminal Code on public indecency, which carries a maximum punishment of 2 years and eight months in prison, reported tribunnews.com.
Prosecutor Novan Arianto had demanded at the start of the trial that the defendant be convicted under Articles 80 and 82 on child abuse and molestation of the 2002 Child Protection Law, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years.
Novan said that the prosecution was still considering whether or not to appeal the sentence. "We have seven days to decide on that matter," he said.
Ali declined to comment on his sentence. "I can only say thank you," he said.
The alleged abuse came to light when the school administered psychological tests for its students, during which five students revealed that they had been abused by Ali, who was then the principal of Labschool Unesa's junior high school division.
One of the students responded that she had been physically abused by Ali, while the other four students said that they had been sexually assaulted.
The East Java Child Protection Agency has urged prosecutors to appeal the sentence, saying that it was essential for law enforcement to use the Child Protection Law in all criminal offenses that targeted children.
"What has happened to the children will potentially traumatize them in the long term. Thus, we must handle [every crime against them] using the appropriate procedure, including providing them with psychological support," the agency's chairwoman, Sri Adiningsih, said on Wednesday.
This is disgraceful. Why was the judge so sympathetic to the pervert principal and not to the students he abused. In any other country, being principal would be an aggravating factor that would lead to higher sentences. This is one pathetic example of Indonesian justice.
No comments:
Post a Comment