New Delhi: In a big improvement, the Supreme Court docket, led by Justices BV Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan, unequivocally rejected the purposes filed by the convicts concerned within the Bilkis Bano gang rape case on Friday. The convicts had sought an extension of time to give up earlier than jail authorities, citing numerous causes.
No Benefit In Causes Cited By Convicts: SC
The apex court docket, in its dismissal, asserted that the explanations introduced by the convicts for looking for a postponement of give up and a delay in reporting again to jail haven’t any advantage. Justices BV Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan emphasised that these causes don’t justify non-compliance with the court docket’s instructions. All miscellaneous purposes have been summarily dismissed, and any pending purposes stand disposed of.
Convicts Should Give up By January 21: SC
The court docket has set a agency deadline for the 11 convicts concerned within the Bilkis Bano case, requiring them to give up earlier than jail authorities by January 21. This determination comes after the convicts approached the apex court docket, citing well being points, caretaking tasks for aged dad and mom, impending crop harvest, and different issues.
Background: Remission, Launch, And Supreme Court docket Intervention
Initially sentenced to life imprisonment for his or her involvement within the gangrape of Bilkis Bano and the homicide of her relations throughout the 2002 Godhra riots, the convicts had been granted remission by the Gujarat authorities. Nevertheless, in a landmark determination on January 8, the Supreme Court docket struck down the remission order, declaring it invalid.
The apex court docket held that the Gujarat authorities lacked the authority to cross remission orders and clarified that solely the Maharashtra authorities was competent to take action. The court docket additionally expressed sturdy disapproval, stating that the earlier judgment directing the Gujarat authorities to contemplate remission was obtained by fraud and the suppression of fabric information.
SC’s Rebuke: Convicts Approached With ‘Unclean Fingers’
The bench remarked that the convicts had not approached the court docket with “clear fingers,” emphasizing that the proceedings had been tainted by the “suppression of information,” constituting a fraud on the court docket. The judgment got here in response to a petition filed by Bilkis Bano and others difficult the untimely launch of the 11 convicts.
Guj Govt’s Defence Of Remission To Convicts
Earlier, the Gujarat authorities defended the remission, arguing that the convicts had accomplished a 14-year sentence, and their habits was deemed good. The Bilkis Bano case dates again to March 2002 throughout the post-Godhra riots when she was allegedly gang-raped, left to die along with her household, and 5 months pregnant. The current Supreme Court docket determination underscores the dedication to justice and adherence to authorized processes in high-profile instances.
