The Supreme Court is likely to consider on Thursday five petitions seeking review of its November 7, 2022, judgment acquitting three death row convicts in the gangrape and murder of a 19-year-old girl in Chhawla area of Delhi in 2012.
A bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, Justice S Ravindra Bhat and Justice Bela M Trivedi will decide by circulation in their chambers the fate of the five review petitions.
The top court, on February 8, had agreed to constitute a three-judge bench to consider pleas seeking review of its verdict acquitting the three death row convicts in the case that had created public uproar.
Besides, the Delhi government, father of the victim, Uttrakhand Bachao Movement and Uttarakhand Lok Manch have sought the review of the judgement.
In 2012, the three accused had allegedly gangraped the girl, murdered her and mutilated her body with a screwdriver and other weapons. The trial court had awarded them a death sentence and the High Court upheld it in August 2014.
However, the apex court set aside the High Court order and acquitted them of the offences in November last year, sparking a debate on the verdict.
Except the plea seeking review of a judgement awarding death penalty to a convict, such petitions are considered and decided in chambers.
The Delhi Police that come under the control of the Central government has sought an open court hearing of the review petition, keeping in view the hue and cry by the civil society, social activists and others, over the top court’s acquittal order.