We were denied fair trial, say Dec 16 rape convicts

Two of the four death row convicts in the December 16 gang rape and murder case on Tuesday contended before the Delhi High Court that they were denied a fair trial.

Two of the four death row convicts in the December 16 gang rape and murder case on Tuesday contended before the Delhi high court that they were denied a fair trial.

Appearing for convicts Mukesh and Pawan Kumar Gupta, advocate ML Sharma told a bench of justice Reva Khetrapal and justice Pratibha Rani that the amicus curiae in the case was appointed by the trial court against the wishes of his clients.

Referring to an affidavit, filed by the convicts before the Delhi high court, the advocate also argued that the trial court had ignored the affidavit in which the convicts had said the police had pressurised them to give consent for appointment of VK Anand as the defence counsel.

Sharma argued that the police had been unable to produce any proof before arresting the accused and added that the trial court has also failed to ensure fair trial.

The lawyer’s argument came during the hearing on the trial’s court reference for confirmation of death sentence awarded to four of the December 16 gang rape convicts.