Bilkis Bano gets a jolt from SC, dismisses one of the two petitions objecting to the release of 11 convicts

The Supreme Court has dismissed one of the two petitions of Bilkis Bano. In this petition, Bilkis Bano sought a review of the May 2022 order of the Supreme Court on the acquittal of 11 convicts who had raped her and murdered several of her family members during the 2002 Gujarat communal violence. Went. In this order, the Gujarat government was asked to consider the release petition of the convicts. However, Bilkis’ second petition, which challenges the basis of the convicts’ acquittal, will not be immediately affected by the decision.

On August 15, 11 convicts of Bilkis who were serving life imprisonment were released from jail. “Good behavior” was made the basis for premature release. Under the policy of 1992, the BJP government of Gujarat had taken approval from the Union Home Ministry on this. Although the latest policy says that early release of gangrape and murder convicts cannot be done, the Supreme Court agreed with the argument that the 1992 policy had no such compulsion. That’s why they can be released.

The 1992 policy was technically effective in 2008. In 2008, 11 accused of Bilkis were convicted. After spending nearly 15 years in jail, one of the 11 convicts moved the court for premature release as per the policy of life imprisonment. This dispute reached the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court told the Gujarat government in May this year that the plea of these criminals should be considered. Thereafter, in less than three months, all the convicts were set free.