Rahul Gandhi criticizes the BJP for being arrogant after the Supreme Court’s verdict on the Bilkis Bano case. He says they have a tendency to not let justice prevail.

2 min read 2024-01-08, 11:30 PM IST

Summary of the Content

1. Supreme Court Intervention: The Supreme Court of India overturned the Gujarat government’s decision to grant remission and early release to 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano rape case. Widely hailed as a “victory of justice” by political leaders.
2. Rahul Gandhi’s Perspective: Rahul Gandhi praised the Supreme Court’s decision on microblogging site X. Emphasized the danger of compromising justice for electoral gains. Commended Bilkis Bano’s pursuit of justice as a symbol of triumph against perceived arrogance.
3. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s Statement: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra echoed the sentiment of justice prevailing with the Supreme Court’s verdict. Stated that the ruling unveiled alleged anti-women policies of the BJP. Expressed confidence in reinforcing public faith in the justice system.
4. Nullification of Previous Verdict: Supreme Court nullified the May 13, 2022, decision directing the Gujarat government to consider remission applications. Previous judgment deemed obtained by “playing fraud on court.” Highlighted convict Radheshyam Shah’s case and declared the release of convicts as premature.
5. Public Interest Litigations (PILs): Multiple PILs, including those by Subhashini Ali, Revati Laul, Roop Rekha Verma, and Mahua Moitra, contested the relief granted to the convicts. PILs collectively challenged remission and premature release, reflecting broader public concern over justice administration.
6. Bilkis Bano’s Traumatic Experience: Bilkis Bano, at 21, was gang-raped during communal riots, with her three-year-old daughter among the seven family members killed. Her traumatic experience fueled a tireless journey for justice.

In a significant turn of events, the Supreme Court of India has overturned the Gujarat government’s controversial decision to grant remission and early release to 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano rape case. The apex court’s decision has been widely acclaimed as a “victory of justice” by various political leaders, with prominent figures like Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra expressing their support for the ruling.

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Rahul Gandhi’s Perspective

Rahul Gandhi, a key political figure, lauded the Supreme Court’s decision on the Bilkis Bano case via a post on the microblogging site X. He emphasized the dangers of compromising justice for electoral gains and highlighted the court’s role in exposing those who advocate for criminal patronage. Gandhi commended Bilkis Bano’s relentless pursuit of justice, describing it as a symbol of triumph against the perceived arrogance of the BJP government.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s Statement

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, another prominent political figure, echoed the sentiment of justice prevailing with the Supreme Court’s verdict. She asserted that the ruling has unveiled the alleged anti-women policies of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Vadra expressed confidence that the public’s faith in the justice system would be reinforced following this decision. She congratulated Bilkis Bano for her courageous fight for justice.

Supreme Court’s Nullification of Previous Verdict

The Supreme Court, in its recent judgment, declared null and void the May 13, 2022, decision of another bench that directed the Gujarat government to consider remission applications from the 11 convicts. The court deemed the previous judgment obtained by “playing fraud on court.” This earlier ruling, delivered by a bench comprising Justices Ajay Rastogi (now retired) and Vikram Nath, had instructed the Gujarat government to review the remission applications, citing the state’s jurisdiction over the matter.

The court specifically highlighted the case of convict Radheshyam Shah, who had initially approached the Gujarat High Court in 2019 seeking direction for the consideration of his remission application. The recent judgment declared the actions leading to the release of the 11 convicts on August 15, 2022, as premature and held them in violation of the court’s directives.

Public Interest Litigations (PILs) and Opposition to Remission

Apart from Bilkis Bano’s petition challenging the remission, several PILs, including those filed by CPI(M) leader Subhashini Ali, independent journalist Revati Laul, former vice-chancellor of Lucknow University Roop Rekha Verma, and TMC leader Mahua Moitra, contested the relief granted to the convicts. The PILs collectively challenged the remission and premature release, underscoring the broader public concern over the administration of justice in the Bilkis Bano case.

Bilkis Bano’s Traumatic Experience

Bilkis Bano’s ordeal began at the age of 21, when she was gang-raped while trying to escape the horrors of communal riots. Tragically, her three-year-old daughter was among the seven family members who lost their lives during the riots. The incident left an indelible mark on Bilkis Bano, prompting her to embark on a tireless journey for justice.

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Conclusion

The Supreme Court’s decision to quash the Gujarat government’s remission and release of the 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano case represents a significant moment in the pursuit of justice. The ruling has not only reinstated faith in the justice system but has also raised questions about the political motivations behind certain decisions. As the legal battle continues, Bilkis Bano’s resilience stands as a symbol of hope and perseverance in the face of adversity.