Bilkis Bano case: SC Seeks Response From Gujarat Govt Over Release Of Convicts

New Delhi: The Supreme Court Thursday sought the Gujarat government's response on a plea challenging the release of 11 men convicted for the gangrape of Bilkis Bano during the 2002 Gujarat riots.

The bench headed by Chief Justice N V Ramana also asked the petitioners to implead those who have been granted remission as parties in the matter besides issuing notice to the Gujarat government seeking their response.

The bench also posted the matter for hearing after two weeks.

Four people, including social activist Subhashini Ali, have demanded the cancellation of the Gujarat government's order to release the 11 convicts in the case.

All the convicts were sentenced to a life term in prison by a special court in Mumbai in 2008 for the gangrape and the murder of seven members of Bilkis Bano's family. The sentence was later upheld by the Bombay High Court.

However, on August 15, all the convicts were freed from the Godhra sub-jail after the Gujarat government allowed their release under its remission policy. They had completed more than 15 years in jail.

According to reports, during the 2002 Gujarat riots, Bilkis from Randhikpur village in Dahod district along with 16 members of her family fled and took shelter in the fields of the nearby village of Chhaparwad. On 3 March 2002, more than 20 rioters attacked and raped some other women including 5 months pregnant Bilkis. They also killed 7 people including Bilkis's 3-year-old daughter.

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