Picture : Twitter/ ANI
Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, who challenged the release of 11 convicts of rape and murder in the Bilkis Bano case, on Tuesday said central and Gujarat governments were in contempt as they did not produce the files in court.
“Delaying tactic on the part of central government and Gujarat government. They were clearly in contempt as they did not produce the files (regarding remission),” Moitra told reporters , reported ANI
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court on Tuesday said that “unequals cannot be treated equally” while stating that the plight of Bilkis Bano, who was gang-raped and her family members were murdered during the 2002 Godhra riots, cannot be compared to the murder of single person.
“Delaying tactic on the part of Central, Gujarat govts. They were clearly in contempt as they didn’t produce the files (regarding remission)”: TMC MP Mahua Moitra who challenged releasing of 11 men, by Gujarat govt, convicted of rape & murder in Bilkis Bano case pic.twitter.com/0if0WtOnr5
— ANI (@ANI) April 18, 2023
A bench of Justices KM Joseph and BV Nagarathna observed that the way the offence was committed is “horrendous”.
“Crimes are generally committed against society, and the community. So when you give remission… You cannot compare the victim’s plight with standard 302 (murder) cases. Unequals cannot be treated equally,” Justice Joseph said.
“See, more than 1100 days of parole… 1200 days, virtually three years..1000 days….1400 days… 1500 days on parole? Is that even available to an ordinary citizen? What policy have you been following?” the bench said while reading the details of parole granted to the convicts.
Senior advocate Sidharth Luthra, appearing for one of the convicts, contended, “One is normal parole for a month. Other is this court said that during Covid parole must be granted. Just because it is gruesome crime convict should spend more time is contrary to law, Luthra added.
