Delhi gangrape case: Juvenile verdict put off amid media frenzy

In an anti-climax to the highly anticipated verdict on the juvenile accused in the Delhi gangrape case, the juvenile justice board reserved its order for 25 July. The hearing was held in-camera amid tight security. From CNN to Al Jazeera, there was an impressive international media presence tracking the verdict. Over 30 TV cameras and more than 100 national and foreign journalists fought for space outside the juvenile justice board complex. [caption id=“attachment_948691” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Protests following the rape in December[/caption] The gangrape victim’s family was present for the hearing. However, the victim’s friend who is the complainant in the case was not present. The prosecution lawyers were mobbed by the media when they emerged from the courtroom leading to a stampede- like situation and a lot of confusion over the outcome of the hearing. According to police sources, the defence counsel for the juvenile accused have submitted some clarifications regarding the role of the juvenile accused in the gang-rape case and the Delhi Police is believed to have responded to it. The verdict therefore has been reserved for July 25. The juvenile accused is one of the six accused in the Delhi gangrape case where a 23-year-old student and her friend were attacked on December 16. The gangrape victim succumbed to injuries at a hospital two weeks later. The four co-accused are facing trial in a fast-track court. The prime accused in the case was found dead - he was found hanging in his prison cell in Tihar on 11 March.