Supreme Court Adjourns Final Hearing in Bilkis Bano Gang-Rape Case

Supreme Court Adjourns Final Hearing in Bilkis Bano Gang-Rape Case

VoM News Desk | October 9, 2023 | 06:02 PM IST | Courts & Law | Follow on Google News

Supreme Court Adjourns Final Hearing in Bilkis Bano Gang-Rape Case

Supreme Court Adjourns Final Hearing in Bilkis Bano Gang-Rape Case

In a recent development, the Supreme Court has decided to adjourn the final hearing on pleas challenging the remission granted last year to all 11 convicts in the gang-rape case of Bilkis Bano and the murder of seven of her family members during the 2002 post-Godhra Gujarat riots. The matter has been rescheduled for October 11, with a bench comprising Justices B V Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan presiding over the case.

Deliberations on the Gujarat Government’s Decision

The apex court has taken written submissions from the petitioners into account and will continue the hearing on the same day. The key focus of the court’s deliberation is to assess the “correctness” of the Gujarat government’s decision to release the convicts prematurely. Eleven individuals, who had been serving jail sentences, were released on August 15, 2022, based on the Gujarat government’s decision.

Questions Surrounding Convicts’ Privileges

Last month, the Supreme Court raised questions about whether the convicts in the Bilkis Bano case had been granted the privilege of multiple parole releases while reviewing a batch of pleas challenging their early release. The court emphasized the need for “independent application of mind” in the opinions of competent authorities regarding the release of these convicts.

Rights of the Petitioners and Call for Unbiased Remission

The Supreme Court further underscored that Bilkis Bano and other petitioners retained their right to approach the court, despite the earlier decision that left it to the Gujarat government to decide on the convicts’ remission applications. The court urged state governments to refrain from selective remission grants and emphasized the importance of providing every prisoner with the opportunity for reform and reintegration into society.

Background on the Case

Bilkis Bano was just 21 years old and five months pregnant when she was subjected to a brutal gang-rape while fleeing the communal riots that erupted following the Godhra train-burning incident. Tragically, her three-year-old daughter was among the seven family members who lost their lives in the riots.

The Supreme Court’s upcoming decision on this case will have significant implications for justice and accountability in one of the most infamous incidents from the 2002 Gujarat riots.

VoM News Desk

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