In a significant development, a 2-judge Supreme Court bench has overturned the Gujarat government’s decision to grant remission to 11 convicts involved in the gang-rape of Bilkis Bano and the murder of seven of her family members during the 2002 Gujarat riots. The verdict, delivered by Justices BV Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan, emphasized that Gujarat was not “competent” to decide on remission, as the convicts were sentenced in Maharashtra.
The decision follows a series of hearings that began on October 12 last year, during which multiple pleas challenging the remission were filed, including one by Bilkis herself. The convicts’ release had sparked widespread outrage, occurring on the 75th anniversary of India’s independence.
National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah welcomed the Supreme Court’s judgment, stating that it will be implemented to provide justice to the victim. Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Shashi Tharoor, praised the judgment and criticized the BJP for allegedly facilitating the release of the convicts.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee described the order as “strong and bold,” expressing gratitude to the Supreme Court for taking this decisive step.
The Supreme Court directed all 11 convicts to surrender to jail authorities within two weeks, adding that they should seek fresh remission from the Maharashtra government. The ruling also highlighted the Gujarat government’s infringement on Maharashtra’s right to grant remission.
This verdict is seen as a significant development in the ongoing legal battle related to the Bilkis Bano case, symbolizing a beacon of hope for justice.
