Court appoints counsel for Nirbhaya death row convict

NEW DELHI: A Delhi court on Monday appointed advocate Ravi Qazi as the counsel for one of the death-row convicts Mukesh, in the Nirbhaya gang-rape and murder case, after he showed unwillingness to be represented by his counsel, Vrinda Grover.

"If he tells me that he doesn't want to be represented by me, it won't be professional for me to stay on the matter," Amicus Curiae Grover told the court.

Additional sessions judge Dharmendra Rana called it "unfortunate" and appreciated Grover for her efforts in giving legal assistance to Mukesh.

Ravi Qazi was also appointed counsel for Pawan last week after his lawyer A.P. Singh recused himself from the case.

Of the four convicts, Pawan has not yet availed the remedy of either curative or mercy petition.

The court was hearing a plea seeking issuance of fresh date for the death warrants in the case.

(The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme court directives on cases related to sexual assault)

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