In a significant development, the Supreme Court of India has overturned the Gujarat government’s decision to release 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano rape case. The apex court deemed the decision to grant remission and early release as fraudulent, leading to widespread praise from political figures, including Rahul Gandhi.
Rahul Gandhi Applauds Supreme Court’s Verdict
Rahul Gandhi expressed his satisfaction with the Supreme Court’s decision through a post on the microblogging site X. He emphasized the danger of compromising justice for electoral gains and hailed the verdict as a “victory of justice.” Gandhi further highlighted Bilkis Bano’s relentless struggle as a symbol of justice prevailing against the perceived arrogance of the BJP government.
चुनावी फायदे के लिए ‘न्याय की हत्या’ की प्रवृत्ति लोकतांत्रिक व्यवस्था के लिए खतरनाक है।
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) January 8, 2024
आज सुप्रीम कोर्ट के फैसले ने एक बार फिर देश को बता दिया कि ‘अपराधियों का संरक्षक’ कौन है।
बिलकिस बानो का अथक संघर्ष, अहंकारी भाजपा सरकार के विरुद्ध न्याय की जीत का प्रतीक है।
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra Commends Justice Prevailing
Joining the chorus of approval, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra commended the Supreme Court’s decision, asserting that it exposes the BJP’s anti-women policies. Vadra expressed hope that the ruling would strengthen public confidence in the justice system, offering congratulations to Bilkis Bano for her brave fight.
Supreme Court Nullifies Previous Verdict
The Supreme Court nullified a previous judgment from May 13, 2022, which had directed the Gujarat government to consider remission applications from the 11 convicts. The court found that this judgment was obtained through fraud, playing a significant role in the release of the convicts. The bench noted that the remission policy should be considered by the state where the offense occurred.
Convicts Released Prematurely
The 11 convicts who were prematurely released included Bakabhai Vohania, Bipin Chandra Joshi, Kesarbhai Vohania, Govind Nai, Jaswant Nai, Mitesh Bhatt, Pradeep Mordhiya, Radheshyam Shah, Rajubhai Soni, Ramesh Chandana, and Shailesh Bhatt. These individuals were initially granted remission by the Gujarat government and released on August 15, 2022.
Legal Challenges and PILs
Apart from Bilkis Bano’s petition contesting the remission, several PILs were filed against the release. Prominent figures like CPI(M) leader Subhashini Ali, independent journalist Revati Laul, and TMC leader Mahua Moitra raised concerns about the premature release of the convicts.
Bilkis Bano’s Traumatic Experience
Bilkis Bano, who was 21 years old and five months pregnant at the time, endured a horrific gang rape during communal riots. Tragically, her three-year-old daughter was among the seven family members killed in the riots.
In conclusion, the Supreme Court’s decision to quash the release of the Bilkis Bano case convicts has been met with widespread approval from political leaders. The ruling underscores the importance of upholding justice and may have far-reaching implications for similar cases in the future.
