An Indian court sentenced four men to the death penalty for last December's gang rape and murder of a student in New Dehli, BBC News reported. The four men - Mukesh Singh, Akshay Thakur, Pawan Gupta and Vnay Sharma- were all found guilty on all counts earlier this week, in a case which led to violent protests throughout India.
The demonstrations prompted new laws against perpetrators of rape in the country, which has been prevalent recently.
"The case definitely falls in the rarest of rare categories and warrants the exemplary punishment of death," Judge Khanna said. He added that the "extreme brutality" of the attack was so severe that the court "cannot turn a blind eye to this gruesome act." The 23-year-old victim died weeks later.
"We are very happy. Justice has been delivered," the father of the victim said. His name was not given, due to Indian law.
The four men were convicted to death by hanging.
Because they have all denied the charges, they are still enabled to appeal the conviction, and may also ask the president for clemency, which could take years, BBC News also reported.
In August, one teenager who took part in the rape, was found guilty and sentenced to three years in a reform facility. A three year penalty is the maximum term possible by a crime committed by a juvenile in India.
Posters and banners held by those in a demonstration read "hang the rapists" and another read "a woman's life is the foundation, do not defile it."
While expressing outrage of the attacks, human rights groups remain adamant that death penalty should not be employed.
"Sending these four men to the gallows will accomplish nothing except short-term revenge," said Taro Rao who serves as the Director of Amnesty International India. "While the widespread anger over this case is understandable, authorities must avoid using the death penalty as a 'quick-fix' solution."
Far-reaching reforms will still be needed to tackle the increasing violence against women in India as a growing natonal debate is already beginning about how best to combat malicious sexual abuse.
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