Bilkis Bano case: SC issues notice to Centre, Gujarat govt against remission to 11 convicts
New Delhi, March 27: In a petition filed by Bilkis Bano challenging the premature release of 11 convicts who gang-raped her and murdered her family members during the 2002 Godhra riots, the Supreme Court issued notice to the Centre, the Gujarat government, and all the convicts on Monday.
The matter was scheduled for hearing on April 18 by a bench of Justices KM Joseph and BV Nagarathna.
It ordered that the Union and Gujarat governments have the relevant files granting remission to the convicts ready for the next date of hearing. The Supreme Court further ordered that the pleadings in the case be finished before the next hearing date.
The Supreme Court stated that there are numerous issues at stake and that the case must be heard in detail.
"We have before us many murder cases where convicts are languishing in jails for remission without years. Is this a case where standards have been applied uniformly as in other cases too?" Justice Joseph asked.
Previously, a bench of Justices Ajay Rastogi and Bela M Trivedi directed that the matter be heard by a bench that does not include Justice Trivedi because she recused herself from hearing the case.
Also Read: Ruckus in Parliament: Both Houses adjourned few minutes after commencement
- ANI
