The Delhi High Court on Wednesday sought a status update on the pending appeal of Shahid alias Billi, one of the 5 men convicted in the 2010 Dhaula Kuan gang rape case.
The court also granted him temporary relief from surrendering post-furlough due to his daughter’s critical health condition.
Case Background
The case involves the abduction and gang rape of a BPO employee on the night of November 23, 2010. The victim was picked up from Moti Bagh in a mini-truck by members of the Mewati gang and later abandoned in Mangolpuri. The incident had sparked public outrage and prompted nationwide debates on women’s safety.
Following the investigation, 5 men—Shamshad alias Khutkan, Usman alias Kale, Iqbal alias Billi, Shahid alias Billi, and Kamruddin alias Kamru—were convicted by the Dwarka court on October 14, 2014. Their convictions were upheld by the Delhi High Court in 2018.
Court Seeks Clarifications
Justice Girish Kathpalia issued notice to the prosecution and directed them to submit a status report on Shahid’s appeal within two weeks. The High Court also requested the nominal roll of Shahid from the concerned jail authorities, noting that he has already spent around 13 years in prison without any remission.
The appeal has now been listed before the roster bench for hearing on July 29.
Furlough Extension Granted Due to Daughter’s Health
In a separate plea, Shahid had approached the High Court seeking an extension of his furlough, granted earlier by the government, citing his minor daughter’s ongoing battle with cancer.
The court examined photographs and medical records submitted by Shahid and acknowledged the urgency of the situation. “He has spent about 13 years of incarceration without remission, and the peculiar circumstances of this case, this application is allowed,” the court said in its June 11 order.
Temporary Relief, Not a Precedent
Taking a compassionate view, the bench exempted Shahid from surrendering upon the expiry of his furlough on Thursday.
However, the court made it clear that this relief is case-specific. “It is made clear that this order has been passed due to the unfortunate condition. It should not be treated as a precedent,” the court stated.
This interim relief will remain effective until the next hearing date.
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