SC quashes Gujarat's remission for Bilkis Bano gang-rape convicts

Supreme Court delivered its verdict on the remission granted to 11 convicts involved in the horrific gang-rape case of Bilkis Bano during the 2002 communal riots. Court's decision is poised to overturn the Gujarat government's controversial decision, compelling the convicted individuals to return to jail.

The Supreme Court has rejected the Gujarat government's remission for the 11 convicts involved in the gang rape and murder case of Bilkis Bano. The ruling implies that the individuals, initially released following the state's decision, will now be required to return to prison. The court, in its pronouncement, stated that the May 13, 2022 judgment directing the consideration of remission was obtained by "playing fraud" on the court. The court emphasized that the convicts had not approached the legal process with clean hands, accusing them of suppressing material facts.

Supreme Court held that the State, where an offender is tried and sentenced, is competent to decide the remission plea of convicts. Supreme Court holds that the State of Gujarat was not competent to pass the remission orders of the convicts but the Maharashtra government was. The case, which gained national attention, revolves around the harrowing gang rape of Bilkis Bano during the 2002 communal riots.