Supreme Court rejects review plea of Nirbhaya gang-rape case convict Akshay

The court rejected the petition saying it had no merits upholding the death sentence of the convict.

However AP Singh, one of the lawyers of Akshay, said, "Despite having all the merits, the petition has been rejected by the Supreme Court due to public and political pressures."

Welcoming the verdict, Nirbhaya's mother Asha Devi said, "I welcome the Supreme Court's verdict. It is one step closer to the execution. Hope the convicts will be hanged soon."

Meanwhile, a hearing will take place on Wednesday in Patiala court where a petition was filed seeking the issuance of death warrant of the convicts.

Akshay through his lawyers has already pleaded a mercy petition to President Ram Nath Kovind.

On Dec 16, 2012, Nirbhaya, who was a 23-year female physiotherapy intern, was gang-raped, assaulted and tortured at a private bus in Delhi when she was travelling with her friend.

She was raped by six people including the driver of the bus.

The victim had succumbed to her injuries 13 days after the horrific crime was committed.

The incident had sparked national and international outrage. Both the state and central government were brought under the scanner for not providing adequate protection to women in the national capital.

One of the convicts Ram Singh had died during the trial period. Another convict who was a juvenile was released on Dec 20, 2015.