Disha Tandon, Pune
In a significant turn of events, all 11 convicts in the infamous Bilkis Bano gang-rape case surrendered minutes before the Supreme Court’s deadline at Godhra sub-jail in Gujarat’s Panchmahal district. The apex court had dismissed their plea for an extension, emphasizing the urgency of their return to custody. This marks a crucial chapter in the pursuit of justice for Bilkis Bano, who endured the horrific incident during the 2002 Gujarat riots.
The convicts, including Shailesh Bhatt, Bakabhai Vohania, Bipin Chandra Joshi, and others, arrived discreetly in private vehicles under heightened police security. In stark contrast to their controversial release in August 2022, the surrender unfolded quietly, avoiding the public celebration that had triggered widespread criticism.
The Supreme Court on January 8, quashed the Gujarat government’s decision to release the convicts prematurely, emphasizing that the authority to decide remission law with the state where the offenders were sentenced – in this case, Maharashtra. The court sternly remarked that the Gujarat government had overstepped its jurisdiction and directed the convicts to surrender within two weeks.
Despite the convicts’ attempts to secure more time, citing reasons like failing health, impending surgery, son’s marriage, and winter crop harvesting, the court stood firm in upholding the rule of law. The 11 men had been sentenced to life imprisonment for the gang rape of Bilkis Bano and the brutal murder of 14 members of her family during the post-Godhra riots.
The controversy surrounding their release on Independence Day in 2022 sparked outrage, leading to the Supreme Court’s intervention. The court, in a 251-page judgment, declared the Gujarat government’s decision void and asserted that only the Maharashtra government had the authority to consider remission applications.
The timeline of events saw the convicts seeking clemency based on the Gujarat government’s 1992 policy, citing ‘good conduct’ during imprisonment. However, the Supreme Court, with a focus on the sanctity of the rule of law, declared that the convicts had forfeited their right to liberty upon conviction and imprisonment. Bilkis Bano, who was 21 years old and five months pregnant at the time of the gang rape, became a symbol of resilience and the fight for justice. Her family, attacked during the 2002 riots, faced immense tragedy with the loss of seven members, including her three-year-old daughter. The Supreme Court, in April 2019, had directed the Gujarat government to provide compensation, employment, and accommodation to Bilkis Bano.
This recent surrender brings closure to a legal battle that spanned years, reaffirming the principle that justice must prevail, even in the face of political decisions. As the convicts return to jail, the nation watches as a critical chapter in the Bilkis Bano case reaches its conclusion.