In a significant development, the Supreme Court dismissed the plea filed by 10 convicts of the Bilkis Bano gangrape case, refusing to extend the deadline for surrender imposed on January 8. The convicts had sought additional time, citing various reasons such as family responsibilities, care for aged parents, winter crop harvesting, and health conditions.
The apex court, however, held that the reasons provided in the convicts’ application did not warrant an extension and that they must comply with the earlier order to surrender within two weeks.
The batch of petitions included requests from nine convicts seeking a six-week extension, while one convict asked for an additional four weeks. Mithilesh Bhatt, one of the applicants, explained in his plea that the winter crops were ready for harvesting, and the additional time was necessary to complete the agricultural processes.
On January 8, the Supreme Court had nullified the Gujarat government’s remission, which had allowed the premature release of all 11 individuals convicted in the Bilkis Bano case. The convictions stemmed from the horrific gangrape of Bilkis Bano and the murder of her family members during the 2002 communal riots. The court emphasized that the Gujarat government lacked jurisdiction over the remission, as the sentenced was awarded in Maharashtra. It accused the Gujarat government of overstepping its authority by not filing a review petition against the May 2022 judgment.
The Supreme Court’s decision to reject the plea for an extension underscores its commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that the convicts comply with the surrender order within the stipulated time frame. The court’s earlier observations highlighted the breach of the rule of law, attributing it to the Gujarat government’s unauthorized exercise of power in the remission process.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the fate of the convicts in the Bilkis Bano case remains uncertain, with the court reinforcing the need for adherence to its directives and emphasizing the principle of justice in handling cases of heinous crimes.
Sources By Agencies