The individuals involved in this case are Bakabhai Vohania, Bipin Chandra Joshi, Kesarbhai Vohania, Govind Nai, Jaswant Nai, Mitesh Bhatt, Pradeep Mordhiya, Radheshyam Shah, Rajubhai Soni, Ramesh Chandana, and Shailesh Bhatt. Their surrender marks a significant moment in the pursuit of justice for Bilkis Bano.
In a pivotal development in the Bilkis Bano case, a landmark incident that has garnered significant attention in India’s legal history, all 11 convicts involved in the case surrendered at the Godhra Sub Jail in Gujarat’s Panchmahal district. This event unfolded on the evening of January 22, 2024, aligning with the expiration of the deadline set by the Supreme Court of India.
The convicts, previously granted remission by the Gujarat government for their involvement in a heinous crime during the 2002 post-Godhra riots, made their way to the jail facility around 11:30 PM. They traveled from Singwad Randhikpur, arriving in two separate private vehicles, a move that marked the culmination of a series of legal proceedings. This surrender was confirmed by NL Desai, a local Crime Branch inspector, who communicated the development to the news agency PTI.
The Supreme Court’s intervention on January 8 was a critical turning point in this case. The apex court had categorically annulled the decision of the Gujarat government to release these convicts, who were implicated in a rape case amidst the 2002 riots. The court’s bench, comprising Justices BV Nagarthana and Ujjal Bhuyan, described the government’s remission as a “fraud act,” unequivocally stating that the state lacked the authority to make such a decision. The justices ordered the convicts to return to prison within a two-week window, highlighting that the misuse of the court’s order had led to a violation of the rule of law.
Following the Supreme Court’s directive, the convicts sought additional time to surrender, citing a range of reasons. However, their requests were ultimately rejected by the court on Friday. The court maintained its stance and ordered them to surrender by January 21, adhering to the original deadline set by the judiciary.
The individuals involved in this case are Bakabhai Vohania, Bipin Chandra Joshi, Kesarbhai Vohania, Govind Nai, Jaswant Nai, Mitesh Bhatt, Pradeep Mordhiya, Radheshyam Shah, Rajubhai Soni, Ramesh Chandana, and Shailesh Bhatt. Their surrender marks a significant moment in the pursuit of justice for Bilkis Bano.
Bilkis Bano‘s ordeal began when she was 21 years old and five months pregnant. She was a victim of gang rape during the communal violence that ensued following the Godhra train burning incident in February 2002. This horrific event also resulted in the death of her three-year-old daughter and seven other family members, making it one of the most tragic episodes of the riots.
The Bilkis Bano case has been a significant point of discussion in India, raising critical questions about justice, human rights, and the treatment of victims of communal violence. The surrender of these 11 convicts is not just a procedural development but a moment of profound significance in India’s ongoing struggle to uphold justice and human rights, especially for those affected by communal strife.
Also read- MARITAL RAPE: AN INTENTIONAL DELAY? (lawchakra.in)
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