“We have lost all hope,’’ said Badrinath Singh, father of the December 16 gang rape victim speaking to The Hindu on Saturday from the Maurice Nagar police station in Delhi, where they were detained for protesting outside juvenile observation home.
“It is our helplessness, which has caused us to gather here for the protest,’’ he said in a choked voice. “We will not be approaching the Supreme Court in this case….what is the use. This boy, who was known to be the most gruesome in the group, is today a free man. I cannot understand forgiveness and the explanation that the court is stating about him having finished his sentence.’’
“Our lives have changed forever. He gets a new life and aid from the government to begin a new one. How is that fair?’’ he asked.
Police, however, claimed that the victim's parents were not among those detained and that they were free to leave the police station any time.
Madhur Verma, DCP (North), said the parents were physically removed from the spot because of "dangers" posed by the fast traffic on that road.
"We had detained 30-35 youths for blocking the traffic on that road. When they were being packed in a bus, the parents said they would accompany the youths to the police station. The parents have not been detained and are free to leave," said Mr. Verma.
With Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeting to make his displeasure known at the alleged "detention", the police officer was forced to issue a clarification.
