Bilkis Bano Case: SC Dismisses 11 Convicts Plea Seeking Extension of Surrender Time

The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a plea by 11 convicts involved in the gangrape of Bilkis Bano and the murder of seven of her family members during the 2002 riots in Gujarat. The convicts sought an extension of time to surrender.

A bench comprising Justices B V Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan stated that the reasons presented by the convicts lack merit. The bench remarked, “We have heard senior counsel and counsel for the applicants and the counsel for the non-applicants also.

The reasons cited by applicants to seek postponement of surrender and report back to jail have no merit inasmuch as those reasons in no way prevent them from complying with our directions. Hence the miscellaneous applications are dismissed.”

On January 8, the Supreme Court had nullified the Gujarat government’s decision to grant remission to the 11 convicts, asserting that the orders were “stereotyped” and issued without the application of mind. The court had directed the convicts to surrender before jail authorities by January 21.