Bilkis Bano Case: Convicts Surrender at Godhra Sub Jail

The 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano case, who were released prematurely in 2022, have surrendered at Godhra sub jail in Gujarats Panchmahal district before the deadline set by the Supreme Court.

In a significant development, all 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano case surrendered late Sunday night at Godhra sub jail in Gujarat's Panchmahal district. The convicts arrived at the jail before the midnight deadline of January 21, as stipulated by the Supreme Court.

Supreme Court's Order

On January 8, the Supreme Court had annulled the remission granted by the Gujarat government to the 11 convicts, criticizing the state for its complicity with an accused and abuse of discretion. The court ordered the convicts, who were prematurely released on Independence Day in 2022, to return to jail within two weeks.

Rejection of Extension Pleas

The apex court had rejected the convicts' pleas for more time to surrender on Friday and directed them to do so by Sunday.

Background of the Case

Bilkis Bano, a 21-year-old pregnant woman, was gang-raped during the communal riots that erupted after the Godhra train burning incident in February 2002. Tragically, her three-year-old daughter was among the seven family members killed in the violence.

Premature Release and Controversy

In a controversial move, the Gujarat government granted premature release to the 11 convicts on August 15, 2022, after they had served 14 years of their life sentence. The decision was based on their remission applications and the state's 1992 policy, citing their good conduct during imprisonment.

Supreme Court's Intervention

The Supreme Court quashed the remission order, ruling that the Gujarat government lacked jurisdiction to grant premature release since the trial had taken place in Maharashtra.

Convicts' Attempts to Delay Surrender

Following the apex court's order, the convicts approached the Supreme Court seeking more time to surrender, citing various reasons such as health issues, impending surgery, a son's marriage, and harvesting of crops. However, these applications were dismissed by the court on Friday, deeming the reasons presented as lacking merit.

The surrender of the 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano case marks a significant development in the pursuit of justice for the victim and her family. The Supreme Court's intervention and its rejection of the convicts' attempts to delay their surrender demonstrate the judiciary's commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring accountability for heinous crimes.