New Delhi, Jan 9
Two convicts in the Dec 16 gang rape case Thursday appeared before the Delhi High Court after it summoned them to put forward their submissions.
A division bench of Justice Reva Khetrapal and Justice Pratibha Rani told convicts Vinay Sharma and Akshay Thakur that their counsel have completed his arguments and asked them if they wanted to say anything more to the court.
Both of them told the court that they have put their defence through their counsel and they have nothing more to say. However, Vinay asked the court to see the video footage where he with another convict Pawan Gupta was seen attending a music concert on the night of Dec 16.
The bench said that video footage has already been shown by counsel and the judges have seen the video.
The court had issued warrants for Vinay and Akshay and sought their presence in court to give them a chance to put their submissions. Their counsel could not turn up in the court.
The court Jan 3 reserved its verdict on confirming the death sentence and appeals of four convicts in the Dec 16 gang rape and murder case.
The bench had reserved its order after prosecution and defence counsel concluded their arguments.
The court Wednesday also asked defence counsel for convicts Mukesh, Vinay Sharma, Pawan Gupta and Akshay Thakur to file their written submissions by Jan 15, and again reserved the order.
"If counsel want to give anything in writing, they can do so by Jan 15. Order reserved," the bench said.
The high court started hearing the case Nov 1, 2013, on a daily basis.
The prosecution wrapped up its arguments in the first week of November, seeking confirmation of the death penalty.
Special Public Prosecutor Dayan Krishnan earlier told the court that by awarding death penalty to the convicts, a message would be sent out to the society that "deviant behaviour" would not be tolerated.
by:IANS