Bilkis Bano challenges release of 11 rapists in Supreme Court
Bilkis Bano on Wednesday petitioned the Supreme Court against the release of her rapists. The Gujarat government released at least 11 convicts in the case on August 15, Independence Day, as part of a previous remission scheme. The decision triggered widespread condemnation, especially after photographs emerged of the convicts being garlanded and lauded as heroes by a Hindu organization.
Why does this story matter?
Bano was 21 years old and five months pregnant when riots erupted in Gujarat following the burning of the Sabarmati express train. On March 3, 2002, Bano and her family were attacked by a mob that raped her and slaughtered her family members in Randhikpur hamlet near Ahmedabad. Over 1,000 people were reportedly killed in the Gujarat riots in 2002.
Bano filed two petitions in Supreme Court
According to Live Law, Bano, who was gang-raped and had seven family members killed during the Godhra riots, petitioned the Supreme Court on Wednesday challenging the Gujarat government's decision to release 11 convicts early. Additionally, Bano filed a review petition to challenge the SC's ruling in May that allowed the Gujarat government to decide on the remission.
Court may hear the petitions together
Meanwhile, the matter was mentioned before Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud for listing. The CJI said he will decide whether both pleas can be heard together, and before the same bench.
Convicts were released under old remission policy
The life-term convicts were released from the sub-jail in Godhra on August 16 as part of the Gujarat government's 1991 remission policy. Their release was decided on by a committee formed a few months back, and the state government approved the recommendation of the committee, as per officials. The convicts had served more than 15 years in jail.
SC plea paved way for their release
The 11 men were granted premature release following a plea by one Radheshyam Shah (also a convict). Shah had approached the Supreme Court with a special plea for his premature release, which paved the way for all the convicts to be freed. However, their release contradicts a central government notice from June this year, which says rape convicts cannot be granted special remission.
What were the charges against these men?
In 2008, a special CBI court in Mumbai sentenced the 11 accused to life for raping a pregnant woman, murder, and unlawful assembly. The Bombay High Court upheld the conviction later. Seven others were acquitted for lack of evidence; one died during the trial. In 2019, the Supreme Court directed the Gujarat government to provide Bano Rs. 50 lakh compensation, government job, and house.
