Commending the recent Supreme Court ruling that overturned the remission of sentences for the accused in the Bilkis Bano case, BRS leader and MLC K Kavitha expressed her satisfaction, emphasizing that the decision sends a powerful message affirming the safety, security, and protection of women in the country. Speaking to ANI on Tuesday, Kavitha, also the daughter of former chief minister and party founder K Chandrasekhar Rao, conveyed her contentment with the verdict, highlighting its significance in reinforcing the message of women’s safety.
“We are very happy with the Supreme Court’s verdict as it has sent out a strong message across the country that women will stay safe, secure, and protected,” stated Kavitha to ANI. The Supreme Court had recently invalidated the Gujarat government’s order granting remission to 11 convicts involved in the gang-rape of Bilkis and the murder of her family members during the 2002 Godhra riots. Justices BV Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan, in their ruling, nullified the remission order, directing all 11 convicts to surrender before jail authorities within two weeks.
The court determined that the Gujarat government lacked the authority to issue remission orders, asserting that this power rested with the Maharashtra government, the state where the accused were sentenced. The bench criticized the Gujarat government for acting beyond its jurisdiction and accused it of obtaining the previous court’s order through fraudulent means. The court underscored the need for a review of the May 13, 2022, order and rebuked the state government for not seeking it.
The decision came in response to a petition filed by Bilkis Bano and others challenging the premature release of the 11 convicts. The bench, in its verdict, condemned the misuse of power by the State of Gujarat and characterized the situation as a violation of the rule of law. The Gujarat government had defended the remission, citing the convicts’ completion of a 14-year sentence and good behavior.
The release of the convicts on August 15, 2022, stirred public outcry, with pleas asserting that such remission would be against public interest and the victim’s safety. Bilkis Bano, who was subjected to heinous crimes during the 2002 riots, has sought justice and closure through the legal proceedings.