New Delhi : The Supreme Court said it will examine Gujarat government’s decision to release the 11 culprits who gang-raped Bilkis Bano during Gujarat's infamous genocidal riots of 2003. The Bench of Justices KM Joseph and BV Nagaratna asked the government to be ready with files on the 8th of April.
The Bench also clarified it will not play along emotions and rather go strictly by law.
The Crime: Bilkis was gang-raped during the Gujarat riots of 2002. Her three-year old daughter was among the 14 people murdered by the mob on 3 March 2002. The Gujarat govt released 11 men convicted in the case on the 15th August last year.
Bano pled with the apex court in November challenging the premature release saying it has “shaken the conscience of society”.
When the plea was filed, Justice Trivedi had recused himself from hearing the case and a new Bench of Supreme Court was formed to hear the petition. Justice Trivedi did not offer any specific reason why he recused. She was Law Secretary to the Gujarat government between 2004 - 2006.
