Bilkis Bano Case: The Supreme Court (SC) will pronounce its judgement on Monday on a batch of petitions challenging the premature release of 11 convicts in the 2002 Bilkis Bano gang-rape case during the Gujarat riots.SC to decide on pleas against release of Bilkis Bano case convictsA bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan had reserved its order on October 12, 2022, after hearing arguments over 11 days. It will rule on whether the remission granted to the convicts by the Gujarat government violated applicable laws.The apex court had questioned if the convicts have a fundamental right to seek remission, stating such relief should be uniformly available to all prisoners based on reformation.Defending their release, senior advocate Sidharth Luthra submitted it gave them hope to resettle in society as they were remorseful after long incarceration. He said the matter was already settled by the SCs May 2022 order.When were 11 convicts of Bilkis Bano case released The 11 men freed on August 15, 2022, after over 15 years in jail are - Jaswant Nai, Govind Nai, Shailesh Bhatt, Radhyesham Shah, Bipin Joshi, Kesarbhai Vohania, Pradeep Mordhiya, Bakabhai Vohania, Rajubhai Soni, Mitesh Bhatt and Ramesh Chandana.The Gujarat government justified the remission citing the convicts age, time served and conduct in prison that adhered to reformative theory.Among the petitioners challenging the release are Bilkis Bano herself, CPI(M) leader Subhashini Ali, journalist Revati Laul and TMC MP Mahua Moitra.Bilkis Bano Case - OverviewBilkis was 21 years old and five months pregnant when she was gang-raped during the Gujarat riots after the Godhra train burning incident on March 3, 2002. Seven of her family members including her toddler daughter were also killed.The SC had directed the Gujarat government to handle her plea for compensation appropriately while ordering a CBI probe in 2004. The Bombay High Court later convicted 7 policemen and doctors for evidence tampering.The premature release sparked nationwide outrage given the heinous nature of the crime committed against Bilkis, a survivor of gruesome communal violence. With the SC set to pronounce its judgement, all eyes are on whether it will uphold or overturn the remission.The apex courts ruling will decide if the convicts fundamental rights can supersede principles of justice, especially for victims of communal crimes. Its judgement is keenly anticipated for the crucial precedents it may set.
