Bilkis Bano Rape Case: Gujarat Govt Files Plea In SC Seeking To Remove Its Critical Remarks sattaex.com

The Gujarat government on Tuesday filed a review petition in the Supreme Court seeking certain remarks made by it regarding the state government’s conduct with respect to the early release of the 11 convicts of the Bilkis Bano rape case, to be expunged.

According to a report by Live Law, the State Government stated it was acting as per the Supreme Court’s May 2022 judgment which directed it to consider the remission application of one of the convicts. The state government further submitted that it cannot be held to have “usurped” the jurisdiction of the state of Maharashtra when it was acting as per a direction of the top court.

The Supreme Court, on January 8, 2024, overturned the Gujarat government’s decision ruling to grant remission to 11 convicts in the case of the gangrape of Bilkis Bano and the murder of her family members during the 2002 Gujarat riots.

The apex court ruled that the state, where an offender is tried and sentenced, is only competent to decide the remission plea of convicts. Since the trial and conviction took place in the Bombay High Court, Maharashtra was the competent government to grant remission in this case.

In its ruling, the Supreme Court had also accused the Gujarat government of abusing its power.

The Gujarat government, had, on August 15, 2022, released 11 men convicted of Bilkis’ gang rape and the killing of her family, citing good behaviour. The move caused a huge outrage among public and political circles.

Following the release of the 11 convicts, Bilkis Bano had filed a petition in the Supreme Court contesting the remission granted to the convicts.