RELEASE OF CONVICTS IN BILKIS BANO CASE QUASHED BY SUPREME COURT

The Supreme Court on Monday has nullified the release of the convicts in the Bilkis Bano Case.

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It is crucial to note that the Gujarat government had issued their release order under state remission policy on August 15, 2022. The Supreme Court has further directed all the convicts to surrender within two weeks.

Upon the Gujarat government's orders to release all 11 convicts, widespread protests erupted across the country. Subsequently, the matter was taken up to the Supreme Court. On October 17, the Gujarat government submitted an affidavit to the Supreme Court elucidating the rationale behind the release of the 11 individuals.

On the state government's statement given on May 13 of the same year, the Supreme Court had ruled that the previous policy from 1992 would be applied for the release of these individuals.

This policy mandates the release from life imprisonment after completing 14 years in confinement. Given that all these individuals had served more than 14 years in prison, they were released following the requisite legal procedures. Additionally, the Central government's authorization was obtained for this action.

During the communal violence following the Godhra train burning incident, Bilkis was subjected to a gang rape. At that time, she was 21 years old and five months pregnant. Seven members of her family fell victim to the rioters.