Supreme Court Asks Central Govt To Present Papers On The Basis Of Which Bilkis Bano’s Rapists Were Released
We hope SC reviews the release of Bilkis Bano's rapists.
The release of Bilkis Bano’s 11 rapists caused a huge uproar in the country. People expressed shock over how could the Gujarat government release criminals under the remission policy who committed such a horrifying crime. There were petitions filed in the Supreme Court asking that the release process of these criminals be reviewed. In what comes as a piece of positive news on that front, the Supreme Court has asked the Central Government to present the papers as per which Bilkis Bano’s rapists were released. The bench also questioned if the convicts were released as the standard remission policy which is followed for other cases.
As per reports, Justice KM Joseph, one of the judges who is overlooking this case, said that there are so many convicts from murder cases over the years who are still in jail, and have not been granted remission. He also questioned whether the same remission policy which is applied to other cases has been applied to the Bilkis Bano case or not. In its notice to the Central Government, the Supreme Court also directed that they be ready with the relevant papers about the release of Bilkis’ rapists.
Reportedly, the bench comprising Justice K M Joseph and Justice B V Nagarathna said that they will need to hear the case in detail and also that they will not be overwhelmed with emotions and will follow the steps of the law.
One of the convicts in bilkis bano case Mitesh Chimanlal Bhatt is accused of committing an offence of outraging a woman’s modesty (Sec 354IPC) while out on parole during June 2020 & the said trial is pending, as per annexure in Gujarat Govt affidavit in pic.twitter.com/JoLSs858DM
— Ashish Mishra 🇮🇳 (@advocateash30) October 19, 2022
Bilkis Bano had filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the release of her rapists last year. But her plea was dismissed. Apart from this, she also filed a separate plea asking SC to review the order of releasing her convicts.
Also read: Bilkis Bano Is Numb After Knowing 11 Men Who Raped Her Were Released, Wants To Be Left Alone
Bilkis Bano was gang-raped by 11 men when she was trying to escape the 2002 Gujarat riots. She was also five months pregnant, then. Bano was with seven people when she was escaping, and her three-year-old daughter was also with her. But the men killed the ones travelling with her. The reason for their remission as cited by the panel that that these 11 men have exhibited good conduct and are brahmins!
We hope the decision is reversed because brahmins or not, the convicts surely are monsters.
First Published: March 27, 2023 6:14 PM
