The four accused in the Nirbhaya case are set to be hanged tomorrow morning, at 6 am. For the act, hangman Pawan Jallad has already reached the Tihar jail and several dummy executions for the convicts have been performed. The convicts, all individually have filed several mercy petitions before the President. A hand-written letter by Vinay Sharma had even gone viral on social media. Convict Vinay Sharma had even drawn paintings and had written a diary, in which he had let out his grief and remorse for the December 16 Delhi gangrape and murder case.

While the convicts are making all efforts to delay the capital punishment given to them, hangman Pawan Jallad performed a dummy execution even today (Friday). Authorities at the Tihar jail had faced several challenges with respect to the hanging of Nirbhaya case convicts as the jail had not executed multiple prisoners together before. However, with dummy executions, the authorities have now overcome those.

One of the challenges is if any of the convicts fall sick or unconscious due to anxiety, the execution has to be called off. But, sources have said it is mandatory to hang all the four convicts together.

Nirbhaya case: Why 'hang till death'?
Not many are aware of the phrase 'to be hanged till death'. Earlier, during capital punishment, the judge used to pronounce orders as 'to be hanged'. But, the rule changed after something unusual happened. There have been certain cases wherein the accused have survived the hanging. For instance, if the rope by which the person is to be hanged, tears up. In such a case, the person cannot be hanged again for that same offense.

In the 1900s during the British Raj, a man charged for an offense was rewarded capital punishment. The judge ordered the man to be hanged in front of the public. As soon as the man was hanged, Nehru asked the authorities to halt the proceedings and bring the accused down. The accused man was saved. When in court, Nehru argued the punishment was 'to be hung' and the same was accomplished as soon as the man lay loose through the rope. Nehru argued that the Judge never wrote in the sentence that for how long the man was to be hung. Since the man could not be punished twice for the same offense, the accused man was free. Ever since the words 'to be hanged till death' are used.

Nirbhaya case: Why are dummy executions required?
In case of Tihar jail, the challenges before the authorities have already been specified. In general, dummy executions are vital to prepare appropriate hanging ropes according to the weight of the convict(s). It also gives an idea of how deep the convict(s) need to be hanged. Dummy executions should be performed at least four days prior to the hanging date.

The depth of prisoners at the time of hanging is decided by his weight. According to the jail manual, prisoners under 45 kg are dropped 8 feet; those between 45 kg and 60 kg are dropped 7 feet 8 inches; up to 75 kg, 7 feet; and up to 91 kg, 6 feet 6 inches. Several measurements of the prisoner are required - like that of their neck, their height to the angle of the jaw immediately below the left ear, and the height from the drop shutter when fixed in position to the lower portion of the ring on the beam to which the rope will be affixed.

As a rule, a dummy or a bag of sand weighing 1.5 times the weight of the prisoner is hanged and dropped between 1.830 and 2.440 metres to test the rope. The length of rope for any given drop shall be the length of the drop plus the distance from the angle of the prisoner’s jaw to the ring in the beam. Wax or butter shall also be applied to the loop of the rope. The jail authorities also keep two spare hanging ropes ready in case of an accident.

Nirbhaya case: Who watches execution process?
According to the jail manual, other prisoners are kept locked in their cells and are not allowed to watch the execution procedure. Families and relatives of the prisoner are also not allowed to watch the execution process. The superintendent, with the approval of the government, may, however, permit social scientists, psychologists, psychiatrists who are conducting research to be present.

A guard, 10 constables, wardens, and two head constables, head wardens or an equal number from the prison Armed Guards shall be allowed to be present at every execution. A doctor is also called to the hanging site so that the prisoners may be checked after they are taken down post hanging. The doctor may also prove to be a helping hand in case a convict falls unconscious, suffers high blood pressure or anxiety ahead of his hanging.

Nirbhaya case: How are prisoners treated before hanging?
In India, hangings generally take place in the wee hours of the day. In the case of Nirbhaya convicts, the court has ordered to hang them till death at 6 am. The execution will be performed at Tihar jail and the jail superintendent is the one to ensure that all formalities in this regard are completed in time. But what exactly are these formalities?

- On the day of the hanging, the jail superintendent wakes up the convicts nearly at 3 am. He then asks them to freshen up

- Prisoners are allowed to take a bath. They are also provided hot water if they want
- The convicts are then served his favorite breakfast
- Convicts are allowed some time alone so that they can remember their family members and closed ones
- If desired by the convicts, they are provided with some religious books and are allowed to recite prayers
- Following a routine protocol, the convicts are examined by a doctor
- Prisoners are then asked to change their clothes and be in plain cotton attire
- Hands of the convicts are then tied at their back
- Their faces are covered with a black cotton hood or cloth
- The prisoners are not allowed to watch their hanging gallows
- Convicts are then escorted to the noose and are placed under the beam
- Convicts are then handed over to the hangman, who ties their legs together
- The rope is placed around their necks
- The executioner draws the bolt
- The superintendent gives a final signal to the hangman to push the lever
- The convicts remain in hanging position until their death

Nirbhaya case: What happens to prisoners' bodies after hanging?
Once the convicts are hanged, their bodies remain suspended in the are for nearly half-an-hour. They are then taken down and a doctor checks the bodies of the prisoners to confirm the death. Bodies of the convicts are then sent for a post-mortem examination. Following an autopsy report, the bodies of the convicts are laid to rest/confined to flames as per their religions.

In the Nirbhaya case, it has yet not been decided on how the bodies of the convicts will be treated after their death. The jail manual, however, says it should be done in accordance with the requirements of the religion to which the executed prisoner belonged.

Also, if the executed prisoner’s relatives make a written application to perform the last rites, the government may, in its discretion, allow such request, provided that the relatives give an undertaking in writing that they will not make a public demonstration of any kind in relation to their cremation or burial.

The manual also says that the body of the executed prisoner shall be taken out of the prison with all solemnity.

A municipal hearse or ambulance is used for the transportation of the body to the cremation or burial ground. The Superintendent is authorized to incur all reasonable expenditures required for the transportation and disposal of the dead body.