Bilkis Bano case: Women activists challenge release of convicts in SC, court to consider plea

NEW DELHI: Women social workers have filed a public interest petition in the Supreme Court against the release of eleven accused in the Bilkis Bano gang-rape case. The petition was filed by CPM leader Subhashini Ali, Lok Sabha member Mahua Moitra, media worker Revathi Laul and Roop Rekha Verma.

The plea states that the convicts who were sentenced to life imprisonment should not be granted release as they were involved in gang-rape and murder. Senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Aparna Bhatt, appearing for them, demanded that the petition be considered urgently. Sibal pointed out that the convicts were released in the case of killing fourteen people and gang-raping a pregnant woman. Chief Justice NV Ramana has considered the demand and the petition will be considered tomorrow.

The incident in question took place on March 3, 2002. Bilkis Bano, who was twenty years old and pregnant, was raped by the convicts and her relatives including Bilkis' three-year-old daughter were killed.

In January 2008, a special CBI court in Mumbai sentenced 11 of the 20 accused to life imprisonment. A head constable was also punished for creating false documents to save the convicts. Seven of the 20 accused were acquitted for lack of evidence. One person died during the trial.