Bilkis Bano's Rapist Shares Stage With Gujarat's BJP MP, MLA
NDTV
Bilkis Bano case: The 11 convicts were released on Independence Day last year, setting off a flood of outrage across the country.
One of the 11 men who gangraped Bilkis Bano during the 2002 Gujarat riots and were released prematurely, was seen sharing stage with a BJP MP at a government programme in Gujarat yesterday. The release of the men has been challenged in the Supreme Court and the case will be heard on Monday.
The group water supply scheme event took place on in Karmadi Village of Dahod district on March 25. Shailesh Chimanlal Bhatt was seen on stage with Dahod MP Jasvant Sinh Bhabhor and Limkheda MLA Sailesh Bhabhor and posing for photos at the event. The two leaders were not available for comment.
The 11 convicts were released on Independence Day last year, triggering a flood of outrage across the country. They were convicted in 2008 for gangraping Bilkis Bano --- then five months' pregnant --- and killing seven members of her family. Her three-year-old daughter was among those killed. Seven other relatives, who she says were also killed, were declared "missing".
The atrocities took place as violence swept Gujarat following the attack on Sabarmati Express, in which 59 'kar sevaks' died.
