New Delhi, Jan 14: Decks were cleared for the execution of four convicts in Nirbhaya gang rape and murder case, as the Supreme Court today dismissed the curative petitions filed by two of the four convicts in the Nirbhaya gang rape and murder case.

In the legal process, filing of curative petition is the last resort before the execution of a death sentence. So the execution of the four convicts in Nirbhaya case, scheduled on January 22 morning, has now been almost certain following rejection of the curative petitions.

A five-member division bench of the Supreme Court, consisting of Justice NV Ramanna, Justice Arun Mishra, Justice RF Nariman, Justice R Banumathi and  Justice Ashok Bhusan today heard the curative petitions filed by Vinay Sharma and Mukesh and dismissed the plea.

However, two other death sentence awardee Pawan Gupta and Akshay Singh have not filed curative petitions yet.

Patiala House Court had awarded death sentence to be executed on January 22 at 7 am. Challenging the death sentence, Vinay and Mukesh had filed curative petitions. Now with the rejection of curative petitions, parents of Nirbhaya have heaved a sigh of relief.

But there is a glimmer of hope for the four convicts to escape the death sentence. The application filed by Vinay Sharma before the President of India to grant pardon is still pending.

However, the Tihar Jail authorities have started preparations for execution on January 22 morning, as ordered by the Patiala House Court as the reprieve petition pending before the President may be rejected at any time.

Rehearsal for the execution is being conducted every day. The measurement of the death sentence awardee’s necks has been taken and their dummies made of clay are being hanged to examine the strength of the rope to withstand their body weight.  The hang man has also been arranged from UP.