'Black Day' observed in UP against juvenile offender's release

Lucknow: People from all walks of life on Thursday gathered here to observe 'Black Day' to protest against the release of the youngest convict of the horrific December 16 gang rape case.

The protest programme was organised by the daughter-in-law of Samajwadi supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav in Gomti Nagar area here, where people released 'black' balloons to register their protest and also burnt an effigy of the juvenile offender.

Addressing the gathering, Aparna said the convict might have been released since he was a juvenile, but they would not allow him to enter his native place in Uttar Pradesh.

"We will take all efforts to ensure that he lands in jail again," Aparna said and demanded observing "Shahidi Diwas" on the death anniversary of the rape victim on December 29.

"I will seek information about the identity of the rape convict through RTI and it will be made public," she added.

The gang rape victim's parents also took part in the programme and demanded justice for their daughter.

"The convict should not be given age benefit and should be arrested again. Release of the convict is injustice to my daughter.

"After the release, we are feeling defeated after three years of legal battle," the victim's mother said.

The campaign, which drew large crowds, was highlighted in social media with the tag line "Releasing the rape convict is like mocking the word justice."

The victim's father said the release has sent a "wrong message" across the country.

"Such a person should not be released early. Parliament might have passed amendments to the Juvenile Act, but my daughter did not get justice," he lamented.

The juvenile offender of the horrific December 16 gang rape case walked free from a correction home in Delhi on December 20.

He is now 20-years-old, and is known to be the most brutal of the attackers.