In a historic ruling, a two-judge bench of the Supreme Court overturned the Gujarat government’s controversial decision to grant remission to 11 convicts in the brutal gang-rape and murder case of Bilkis Bano during the 2002 Gujarat riots. The apex court, comprised of Justices BV Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan, declared Gujarat “not competent” to decide on remission due to the convictions being in Maharashtra. The verdict, reserved since October 12 last year, ignited public outrage as the convicts were released on India’s 75th Independence Day.
Political and Public Responses:
The political landscape erupted with reactions, notably from National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah, who welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision, emphasizing its implementation for justice. Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Shashi Tharoor, and Asaduddin Owaisi, praised the judgement while condemning the BJP for alleged involvement in the convicts’ release.
Owaisi demanded apologies from the BJP governments at the Centre and in Gujarat, accusing them of siding with the perpetrators rather than supporting Bilkis Bano. Mamata Banerjee, West Bengal Chief Minister, lauded the “strong and bold” judgement, highlighting its significance in exposing the rapists’ freedom.
Legal Implications and SC Directives:
The Supreme Court’s ruling emphasized that Gujarat had “usurped” Maharashtra’s authority by not filing a review petition against the May 2022 judgement, leading to the improper granting of remission. The court directed the 11 convicts to return to jail and seek fresh remission from the Maharashtra government within two weeks.
What is Bilkis Bano case? @MahuaMoitra sums it up to refresh our memories.
— Congress Kerala (@INCKerala) January 10, 2024
Bilkis Bano was raped 22 times, her mother and two sisters were raped. 14 people in total were killed, 7 from her own family including her 3 year old child whose head was smashed and body never found. The… pic.twitter.com/FCcJDOYbwM
CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat welcomed the judgement, stating that it “holds some hope for justice” and draws attention to the roles of the central and Gujarat governments. The court’s assertion that Gujarat was “not competent” to decide on remission further solidified the importance of upholding justice across state lines.
Public Confidence and Demands for Apology:
Politicians and activists, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, expressed relief at justice prevailing and the removal of the “veil over the anti-women policies of the Bharatiya Janata Party.” Pawan Khera from the Congress termed the judgement a “slap on the face” of those involved in the illegal release of the convicts.
AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi and others demanded apologies from the BJP, urging them to apologize to Bilkis Bano. The reactions underscored the broader implications of the case and the need for accountability at both state and central levels.
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