Nirbhaya case: Tihar jail admin requests hangmen for execution

New Delhi: With only a few days left for the execution of the four convicts in the Nirbhaya gang rape and murder case, Tihar jail directorate has once again written to the Uttar Pradesh jail directorate expressing its preference for Pawan Jallad for execution.

In a secret letter written, the Tihar jail directorate has asked the UP jail directorate to find out a trained hangman for the execution of the convicts in the Nirbhaya case. It has also asked about the availability of Pawan Jallad.

This is for the second time in last 20 days when the Tihar jail directorate has contacted the UP jail directorate. The letter also has the mention of the death warrant available with the Tihar jail directorate.

Sources from the Tihar jail said: "There are many reasons why Tihar jail administration wants Pawan to conduct the execution."

The main reason is that he comes from the family of executioners so there will be minimum chances of any mistakes. Secondly, he is physically fit and his eyesight is also fine as per the requirement.

The security arrangements for Pawan will also be secret. In case the UP jail administration is not able to provide him security then it can be taken care by the Tihar jail administration. Apart from this, Meerut is not too far from Delhi so it would not take much time for Pawan to reach Tihar jail.

Tihar jail DG Sandeep Goyal on Wednesday told IANS: "The order of the Delhi court has been given to the convicts whereas the death warrant will remain with the administration. The order copy given to the convicts has mention of the death warrant."

"Tihar Jail will seek the services of two hangmen from Uttar Pradesh prison to execute the four convicts in the 2012 Nirbhaya gangrape case," the jail authorities said on Wednesday.

According to a court order issued on Tuesday, the four convicts are to be hanged on January 22 at 7am.

All the four convicts are likely to hanged simultaneously.

On Wednesday, the jail authorities conducted routine medical check-up of the four convicts and this will be a regular drill until the hanging.

"The jail authorities is also holding conversations with the convicts on daily basis to ensure that they are in good mental state," the official said.

A Delhi court pronounced the death warrants against the four death-row convicts Mukesh, 32, Pawan Gupta, 25, Vinay Sharma, 26, and Akshay Kumar Singh, 31, on Tuesday and they will be hanged at 7 am on January 22.

(With inputs from IANS and PTI)