The Gujarat government on August 15 released 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano murder and gangrape case of 2002 under its remission and premature release policy.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday said it would look into a request to take up for urgent hearing, petitions challenging the remission granted to 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano case.
This was said after advocate Aparna Bhat mentioned one of these petitions before a bench headed by Chief Justice of India N V Ramana. The plea has been filed by three petitioners, including CPIM(M) leader Subhashini Ali and independent journalist Revati Laul. A second petition has also been filed by Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra.
When the issue was raised in court Tuesday, the CJI asked if the release was by virtue of a Supreme Court order, to which Bhat said the apex court had by an order given the Gujarat government the discretion to take a decision.
Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal said the challenge was on the principles of remission. To this, the CJI said, “Let us see.”
When Bhat asked if the court would consider listing the matter on Wednesday, the CJI replied: “Let’s see.