Supreme Court Rejects Gujarat Government’s Plea in Bilkis Bano Case, Orders Convicts to Surrender
In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court has dismissed the Gujarat government’s plea to review its earlier decision in the Bilkis Bano case, where it had annulled the remission granted to 11 convicts. These men were convicted for heinous crimes, including gang rape and murder, during the 2002 Gujarat riots. The state government had controversially reduced their sentences, sparking outrage across the country.
On January 8, the Supreme Court ruled against the remission, emphasizing that the release of the convicts was unjustified, given the gravity of their crimes. The court ordered the 11 men to surrender and serve their full sentences. Additionally, the judgment included certain remarks that the Gujarat government found “unwarranted” and sought to have expunged in its review plea.
However, the Supreme Court stood firm, rejecting the government’s request and stating that the remarks were part of the judicial reasoning. The rejection of the review plea means that the convicts must surrender as per the court’s earlier order, bringing a sense of justice to the victims and their families.
The Bilkis Bano case has been a symbol of the fight for justice for the victims of the Gujarat riots, and this ruling is seen as a major step in upholding the rule of law. Many have hailed the decision as a reaffirmation of the judiciary’s commitment to ensuring that those guilty of such grave offenses are held accountable, regardless of any political or administrative interference.