The Supreme Court responded strongly to a request for the creation of a fresh bench over Bilkis Bano’s appeal contesting the early release of 11 convicts serving life sentences for gang-raping her and obliterating her family during the 2002 Gujarat riots.
The lawyer for Bilkis Bano had asked the Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud, and Justice PS Narasimha to consider convening a new bench early after Justice Bela Trivedi withdrew from the case.
The Chief Justice must establish a new bench to hear Bilkis Bano’s plea after Justice Bela Trivedi left the case.
The 11 criminals were liberated on August 15, Independence Day, by the Gujarat government under an antiquated regulation. Images of the rapists being decorated and greeted as heroes by a Hindu organization added to the widespread fury over the decision.
The Gujarat government defended the choice by pointing to the Centre’s rapid approval—it arrived within two weeks of its request—and excellent behavior.
Gujarat further referenced a Supreme Court decision concerning a plea filed by one of the prisoners. The Gujarat government could take into account releasing him in accordance with the 1992 remission policy, the Supreme Court had stated. Gujarat responded by releasing all 11, overruling the CBI’s and a special judge’s strong objections.
In her plea, Bilkis Bano argues that Maharashtra, the state where the trial was held, should be the one to decide whether to release the men.
When nine members of Bilkis Bano’s family, including her three-year-old daughter, were murdered during the riots that rocked Gujarat in the wake of the Godhra train fire, which claimed the lives of 59 pilgrims, Bilkis Bano was 21 and pregnant at the time.
The Supreme Court ordered that the CBI conduct the case’s investigation and that a Maharashtra court conduct the trial. The 11 guys were given life sentences in 2008 by a special CBI court in Mumbai. The Supreme Court and Bombay High Court both upheld their sentence.
News Mania Desk
