The Chief Justice of India agreed to set up a three-judge bench to hear a review application today, filed by the Delhi government against the acquittal of three in 2012 Chhawla gang-rape and murder case.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta mentioned the matter before a bench led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud.

It was submitted by the SG that "An 18-year-old girl was raped, mutilated, killed. Private parts were tortured with screwdriver. Now, one of the accused has slit the throat of an auto driver. We are requesting for an open court hearing. If the earlier bench is of CJI it should be headed by the CJI."

CJI Said that "I will constitute a bench of myself, Justices Ravindra Bhat and Bela Trivedi".

Justice Bela M Trivedi added "We will consider the open court hearing request".

The review application highlighted that one of the accused, who was earlier on death row, was arrested last month in connection with the murder of an auto driver. The murder was allegedly committed after he was released following his acquittal by the top court.

The Supreme Court had acquitted three persons in the Chhawla rape and murder case last November after observing that courts cannot punish accused persons on the basis of moral conviction.

It was stated in the review application that "he has committed a murder after his release indicated that the accused is a hardened criminal who has abused the benevolence of the court".

Case Details:-

State of NCT of Delhi, Ministry of Home Affairs

vs

Rahul and ors