11 convicts, serving life imprisonment in Bilkis Bano gang rape case, were released. Here’s how
India Today
The Gujarat government relied on a 1992 policy to grant the release of all 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano gang rape case.
All the 11 convicts sentenced to life imprisonment in the 2002 post-Godhra Bilkis Bano gang rape case walked out of the Godhra sub-jail on Monday. They were released under the Gujarat government’s remission policy.
The 11 accused -- Radheshyam shah, Jaswant Chaturbhai Nai, Keshubhai Vadaniya, Bakabhai Vadaniya, Rajibhai Soni, Rameshbhai Chauhan, Shaileshbhai Bhatt, Bipin Chandra Joshi, Govindbhai Nai, Mitesh Bhatt, Pradip Modhiya were sentenced to life imprisonment on the charge of gang rape and murder of seven members of Bilkis Bano's family. A special CBI court in Mumbai on January 21, 2008 had sentenced the 11 eleven accused to life imprisonment, and the conviction was later upheld by the Bombay high Court.
India Today accessed the documents that showed the Gujarat government followed all rules, policies, legal options, and directions of Supreme Court while releasing the 11 convicts.
ALSO READ | Bilkis Bano Case: What does the law of remission in India say?
The Gujarat government relied on a 1992 policy following the direction of the Supreme Court on May 13. The state government’s revised policy of 2014, which bars out-of-turn release of prisoners convicted for rape and murder, would have made the accused ineligible for remission.
The 1992 circular pertained to the early release of the life convicts who on and after 18.12.1978 have served out 14 clear years imprisonment.
The exclusive document accessed by India Today states that a person has to complete 14 years completely in the jail and his conduct should be good. About the conduct of the accused, Inspector General Jail has to give recommendation. If both things are met, the Jail Advisory Committee recommends whether the person should be released or not. The JAC should have Jail Superintendent, District SP, District Magistrate and other Advisory Committee Board Members. The procedure can be initiated after the convict completes 14 years in jail.
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