Bilkil Bano case: The 11 men convicted in the infamous 2002 Bilkis Bano gang-rape case surrendered at a Gujarat jail late Sunday, complying with the deadline set by the Supreme Court.All 11 convicts surrendered at Gujarat jailThe convicts turned themselves in at the Godhra sub-jail in Panchmahal district by the court-mandated deadline of January 21.“All 11 convicts have surrendered before jail authorities late Sunday night,” confirmed local Crime Branch inspector NL Desai.11 convicts in Bilkis Bano case surrender at Godhra sub-jail in Gujarats Panchmahal district, last night: Central Jail, Godhra officials— ANI (@ANI) January 22, 2024On January 8, the Supreme Court (SC) directed the convicts, who were controversially granted premature release on August 15, 2022, to surrender by January 21.Extension plea rejected by Supreme CourtLast Friday, the court denied their pleas for an extension.Among the 11, three convicts had cited reasons including health problems, impending surgeries, weddings, and harvest work to justify postponing their surrender.However, the apex court found these grounds unconvincing, stating the reasons have no merit.Who are the 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano caseThe 11 convicts are Bakabhai Vohania, Bipin Chandra Joshi, Kesarbhai Vohania, Govind Nai, Jaswant Nai, Mitesh Bhatt, Pradeep Mordhiya, Radheshyam Shah, Rajubhai Soni, Ramesh Chandana and Shailesh Bhatt.Bilkis Bano was 21 years old and 5 months pregnant when she was brutally gang raped during the 2002 Gujarat riots that followed the Godhra train burning incident.The mens surrender, albeit delayed, marks an important development in the long and painful quest for justice by Bilkis Bano.
