On the morning of Monday, January 8, 2024, the Supreme Court rendered a much-awaited ruling that reversed the life sentences of 11 convicted individuals who had been accused of a number of murders, including gang rapes, the riots in Gujarat in 2002, and the killing of Bilkis Bano.
The court determined that the government of Gujarat was not considered the “appropriate government” to make decisions regarding remission because the trial in the bilkis bano case had taken place within the State of Maharashtra. Since it was found that the Gujarat government lacked competence, the remission orders had been deemed null and void. Consequently, the court mandated that the inmates, who had been granted early release in August 2022, report to prison within a period of two weeks.
Bilkis Bano Case: Background
- The victim, who was identified as Bilkis Bano, made the decision to leave the area with her entire family because she was terrified of getting into such a predicament.
- At the time, she was five months pregnant and 21 years old. In addition to being sexually assaulted, the prisoners also killed seven of her family members.
- This horrifying occurrence once more demonstrated how crimes against women in India are growing more frequent.
Bilkis Bano Case: Judgment
11 of the accused who were part of the gang rape were found guilty and were awarded life sentences for their actions. The division bench rendered this decision. The Supreme Court judges on the bench were KM Joseph and BV Nagarathna. Because of the “horrendous” nature of the crimes they committed, the court had to sentence them to severe punishments.
Bilkis Bano Case: Aftermath
- All of the prisoners received remission because their sentences totaled 14 years.
- They were so freed from custody on August 15, 2022. Around the world, the release of the prisoners on the day of independence infuriated many, sparking a widespread uprising against the government’s choice.
- Opposition parties, journalists, activists, and many others criticized this government move.
- The inmates’ “good conduct” was the reason for their release. They were released from custody in accordance with the 1992 remission policy.
Bilkis Bano Case: Latest Judgment
As perbilkis bano latest news, the Supreme Court highlighted that:
- After being moved from Gujarat to Mumbai, the Bilkis Bano trial case was looked into by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). In the year 2008, a special court in Mumbai convicted the 11 convicts to life in prison.
- The defendants in the case filed a writ petition, requesting that the Gujarat government consider remission, by concealing pertinent information and making false claims in the court.
- The Gujarat government was deemed incompetent by the Supreme Court to have granted remission to 11 convicted individuals who were given life sentences for the gang rape of Bilkis Bano and the murder of her family members during the 2002 riots in Gujarat.
- The Gujarat government lacked the authority to determine the remission, according to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court said that since the trial was held in Maharashtra, the state government should be the one to consider remission.
- The Gujarat government has violated the rule of law by usurping and abusing the authority that was not granted to it. The remission orders should be revoked on that basis as well.
Decision: As per the bilkis bano breaking news, the Gujarat government’s August 2022 decision to award remission to 11 convicts in the case of the gang rape of Bilkis Bano and the murder of seven of her family members during the 2002 Gujarat riots was overturned on Monday by a two-judge Supreme Court panel.
Bilkis Bano Case: Major Events
The major occurrence of events in the Bilkis Bano is as follows:
| Important Dates | Major Events |
| February 28 (2002) | Gujarat riots broke out |
| March 3 (2002) | Bilkis Bano was raped and her family members were killed in the mob. |
| March 4 (2002) | FIR was registered |
| February (2003) | The case was accepted by the High court. |
| December (2003) | The CBI was ordered by the Supreme Court to look into the case |
| January 21 (2008) | 11 accused were convicted of rape with life imprisonment. |
| April 23 (2019) | The Gujarat government was ordered by the Supreme Court to compensate Bilkis Bano ₹50 lakh. |
| May (2022) | One of the prisoners filed an appeal with the Supreme Court, claiming to have completed a term that exceeded fifteen years in jail. So he asked the Apex Court to release him in an appeal that he had filed. |
| August 15 (2022) | In accordance with the 1992 remission policy, every prisoner involved in the case was freed from custody. |
| November 30 (2022) | Bilkis Bano contests the remission ruling made by Gujarat. |
| March 27 (2023) | The SC notifies the parties of Bilkis Bano’s request for remission. |
| January 8 (2024) | The Gujarat government’s decision to pardon 11 prisoners was overturned by the Supreme Court. |
