New Delhi, Jan 7 (IANS): The Congress on Tuesday welcomed the decision in the Nirbhaya case by a Delhi court which has issued death warrants against the four convicts and fixed the date of their execution on January 22.

Congress leader Alka Lamba said "Though it took many years to come to the conclusion of the case but the final justice has been done to the daughter of this country and had the procedure not been delayed, justice would have been given earlier, then the daughters of Unnao and Hyderabad could have been saved."

Congress women's wing chief Sushmita Dev said "I welcome the #nirbhayaverdict. It's been a long wait for justice and it's finally delivered. Nirbhaya remains a symbol of strength in face of brutality and of promise that we would keep striving to end violence against women."

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's husband Robert Vadra wrote on Facebook "After 7 long years, India's daughter gets JUSTICE. This will be an exemplary punishment & will empower women of our nation. I have always maintained that I stand with women in their causes & will fight for them. I thank the Indian judiciary for this verdict."

The court has however allowed the convicts to go for all possible legal recourse including mercy petitions to the President.