Nirbhaya Case: Timeline Of Events

Here's a look at the timeline of important events relating to the horrific assault, gang-rape and murder of the physiotherapy intern, named Nirbhaya (fearless), a case which shook the nation to its core.

December 16, 2012: The physiotherapy intern was brutally assaulted and gang-raped in the most savage manner by six men in a private bus in South Delhi and thrown out of the moving vehicle along with her male friend. The victims were subsequently admitted to Safdarjung Hospital in the national capital.

Dec 17: Following national outrage, police succeed in identifying the accused who include bus driver Ram Singh, his brother Mukesh, Vinay Sharma and Pawan Gupta.

Dec 18: Ram Singh, Mukesh, Vinay Sharma and Pawan Gupta are arrested.

Dec 21-22: Delinquent juvenile involved in the savage gang-rape and assault nabbed from Anand Vihar bus terminal in Delhi. Victim's friend identifies Mukesh as one of the offenders. Police conduct raids in Haryana and Bihar to hunt down the sixth accused, Akshay Thakur. He is brought to Delhi

Dec 26: Victim flown to Singapore's Mount Elizabeth Hospital by the government, after she suffers a cardiac arrest.

Dec 29: Victim succumbs to injuries in addition to other severe medical conditions.

January 3, 2013: Police file charge sheet against Ram Singh, Mukesh Singh, Vinay Sharma, Akshay Thakur and Pawan Gupta, accused of murder, gang rape, attempt to murder, kidnapping, unnatural offences and dacoity.

February 28: Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) frames charges against the minor allegedly involved in the gang rape and murder.

March 11: Ram Singh reportedly commits suicide in Tihar Jail.

August 22: Fast Track Court begins hearing final arguments in trial against Mukesh Singh, Vinay Sharma, Akshay Thakur and Pawan Gupta.

August 31: JJB sentences the minor accused of gang rape and murder to three years at a correctional home.

September 10: Court convicts all 4 accused—Mukesh Singh, Vinay Sharma, Akshay Thakur and Pawan Gupta of 13 offences including gang rape, unnatural offence and murder of the victim and attempt to murder her male friend.

Sep 13: Court sentences all 4 convicts to death.

March 13, 2014: Delhi High Court upholds death penalty to the 4 convicts.

May 5: Supreme Court upholds death penalty to four convicts. Apex Court says the case falls under the 'rarest of rare' categories.

November 8: Death row convict Mukesh Singh, moves SC seeking review of its verdict upholding the death penalty.

December 15: Convicts Vinay Sharma and Pawan Kumar Gupta move SC seeking review of its verdict.

July 9, 2018: SC dismisses review pleas of three convicts—Mukesh Singh, Vinay Sharma and Pawan Gupta.

December 10, 2019: Akshay Thakur moves review petition in SC over death penalty.

Dec 18: SC dismisses Akshay's review plea.

Dec 19: Delhi HC dismisses plea of Pawan Kumar Gupta claiming he was a juvenile at the time of the offence

January 7, 2020: Delhi court orders 4 convicts to be hanged on January 22 at 7 am in Tihar jail.

March 19: SC rejects Pawan's curative plea

March 19- Patiala House Court refuses to stay execution

March 20, 2020: All four rapists and murderers in the Nirbhaya case hanged to death at 5.30 am and are pronounced dead.