The four death-row convicts in the Nirbhaya gang-rape and murder case were set to be hanged on March 20 at 5.30 a.m.
In a last-minute plea three of them had moved the Delhi High Court on March 19 evening, challenging a trial court order declining to stay their execution. The High Court said there was no foundation in their plea. A Bench, headed by Justice Manmohan, heard the matter at 9 p.m. The plea was mentioned before the registry officials who put it up before the Chief Justice of the High Court.
The trial court had in the afternoon dismissed the plea of Akshay Kumar Singh, Pawan Gupta, Vinay Sharma, seeking to stay the death warrants. They, along with Mukesh Singh, were scheduled to be hanged on March 20.
Having exhausted all legal remedies, including mercy petitions before the President, three of the convicts met their families for the last time. The family of one did not come to visit him.
Arguments rejected
Additional sessions judge Dharmender Rana rejected the