The Supreme Court on Thursday agreed to consider the petitions filed by three of the 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano case, seeking an extension of the time provided for their surrender to the jail authorities, reported Live Law. The court is scheduled to hear these petitions on Friday, just ahead of the deadline given to the 11 convicts to surrender.
The convicts in the case, who were sentenced to life imprisonment for the gang rape of Bilkis and the murder of several members of her family during the 2002 Gujarat riots, have presented various reasons for seeking an extension.
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One petitioner, Govindhbhai Nai, has requested a four-week extension, citing both ill-health and domestic responsibilities as grounds for the delay. Another convict, Ramesh Rupabhai Chandana, is seeking an additional six weeks, explaining that he needs to arrange his son’s marriage and fulfill his responsibilities.
The third convict, Mitesh Chimanlal Bhat, has also sought a six-week extension, stating that his winter produce is ready for harvest, and he wishes to complete the process before surrendering, Bar and Bench reported.
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On January 8, the Supreme Court overturned the Gujarat government’s decision to grant remission to the 11 convicts, stating the orders were “stereotyped” and lacked proper consideration. The court further noted that the state’s actions constituted ‘usurpation of power and abuse of power’, directing the convicts to surrender within two weeks.
The matter seeking an extension of time was brought before a bench of Justices B V Nagarathna and Sanjay Karol on Thursday. “It is stated by three respondents that applications have been filed for an extension of time to surrender and report to jail. Since the bench has to be reconstituted, registry to seek orders from CJI for reconstitution of the bench since time expires on Sunday,” the bench said, according to PTI.
The eleven convicts in question were convicted for the gang rape of Bilkis Bano and the murder of her family members during the 2002 Gujarat riots. Notably, they were released from prison prematurely on August 14, 2023, on the eve of Independence Day, without serving their full sentences.
(With Agencies Inputs)