Political leaders, jurists and Bollywood celebrities on Friday joined the family of Nirbhaya to call for plugging loopholes in the rape laws to ensure those on death row for this crime are not allowed to "manipulate" the legal system for delaying the execution.
As reactions poured from all sections of the society that justice has finally been done to the 23-year-old physiotherapy intern, who later came to be known as 'Nirbhaya', the fearless one, her parents said they will study the loopholes found during their seven-year-long legal struggle and prepare a list with the help of their lawyers and well-wishers.
Four men - Mukesh Singh (32), Pawan Gupta (25), Vinay Sharma (26) and Akshay Kumar Singh (31) - convicted of the gang-rape and murder of Nirbhaya in December 2012 in Delhi were hanged at 5.30 am inside Tihar Jail.
Nirbhaya's mother Asha Devi said justice was delayed but not denied while father Badrinath Singh said although his daughter has got justice, the family will now fight for daughters of the country and work to plug the loopholes in the rape laws.
"We will request the Supreme Court to issue guidelines so that no one can adopt delaying tactics in such cases in future," said Asha Devi.
"Justice has been delivered finally, but after much delay. Our fight to ensure timely justice to other such women victims will continue, and hope the system will ensure fast-tracked courts for speedy justice," she told reporters at her home in Dwarka in west Delhi.
Nirbhaya's father said the entire world knows she has finally got justice but he does not think everyone will.
"Today, Nirbhaya has got justice and message has gone across the country that those who indulge in such heinous crimes will not be spared. But we need to take forward this struggle. We want to study the loopholes during our seven-year-long legal struggle," he added.
He said the family will consult their lawyers, well-wishers and other well-meaning people. "They will study the case and prepare a list of the loopholes in the system. We will give it to the government and tell them to make necessary changes."
"It's time for judiciary, government and civil society to introspect whether death row convicts can be allowed to manipulate system and cause delay."
Actor Preity Zinta tweeted, "Finally the #Nirbhayacase comes to an end. I wish it would have been faster but I'm happy it's over. Finally she & her parents are in peace. #RIPNirbhaya #Justicedelayed #TookTooLong."
"If #Nirbhaya rapists were hung in 2012 the judicial system would have stopped so much crime against women. Fear of the law would have kept the lawless in check. Prevention is always better than cure. It's time the Indian govt takes steps for judicial reforms. #RIPNirbhaya."
Echoing similar sentiments, Riteish said, "Stricter law enforcement, harsher punishment & fast courts for quick justice is the only way to instil fear in monsters who even think of such heinous acts. #JusticeForNirbhaya... The wait has been long but the justice has been served."