Bilkis Bano Case: SC Issues Notice To Centre & Gujarat Govt On Plea Against Convict’s Remission

The Supreme Court on Monday sought a response from the Centre, the Gujarat government, and others on a petition filed by Bilkis Bano, who was gang-raped and seven members of her family were killed during the 2002 post-Godhra riots.

Bano has contested the sentence reductions of 11 prisoners in the case.

While scheduling the case for hearing on April 18, a bench of Justices K M Joseph and B V Nagarathna stated that there are numerous issues at stake and that the case needs to be heard in detail.

The Supreme Court issued a notice to the Centre, the Gujarat government, and the convicts.

It further ordered the Gujarat government to have the appropriate files providing remission to the parties ready for the next hearing date.

During the hearing, the bench stated that it would not be swayed by emotions and would only follow the law.

On January 4, a bench comprised of Justices Ajay Rastogi and Bela M Trivedi heard Bano’s petition and other pleas. However, without giving a reason, Justice Trivedi recused himself from hearing the case.

On November 30, last year, Bano had moved the Supreme Court, challenging that the state government’s “premature” release of 11 lifers had “shaken the conscience of society.”

In addition to the plea contesting the prisoners’ release, the gang-rape survivor filed a separate petition seeking a review of the Supreme Court’s May 13, 2022, judgement on a plea by a convict. The review petition was eventually denied in December of last year.

The Gujarat government awarded remission to all 11 convicts and released them on August 15, last year.