We wanted death penalty but through proper judicial channel: NCW chief

New Delhi: Hours after the four accused in the rape-and-murder case of Hyderabad veterinarian were killed in an encounter, NCW chairperson Rekha Sharma on Friday said though the women rights body wanted death penalty for the accused, it should have come through proper judicial channel.

"We wanted death penalty but it should have been through judicial channel. I do not know under what circumstances they were shot and this has to come out after the inquiry. So only the police can tell the truth or after the inquiry it would come out," the National Commission for Women chief said. All four accused in the rape-and-murder case of a 25-year-old woman veterinarian near here last month were killed in an exchange of fire with police on Friday morning, police said.

Meanwhile, Delhi Commission For Women (DCW) Chief Swati Maliwal on Friday said the Hyderabad encounter will send out a strong message, but there are still thousands of victims who are awaiting justice.

What about thousands of Nirbhayas who are still waiting for justice. At the end of the day, there will be a strong message (after the encounter), and people will feel justice was done. But l want this country to run through a system," Maliwal said.

The DCW chief is on an indefinite hunger strike to demand capital punishment for rapists within six months of their conviction.