The Supreme Court has taken up a plea from two convicts in the Bilkis Bano gangrape case related to the 2002 post-Godhra riots. The convicts are challenging a 2017 Bombay High Court verdict that upheld their conviction and sentence. Justices Rajesh Bindal and Vijay Bishnoi have sought responses from the Gujarat and Maharashtra governments on this matter.
The petitioners, Bipinchandra Kanaiyalal Joshi @ Lala Doctor and Pradip Ramanlal Modhiya, have raised objections to the Bombay High Court’s judgment. This judgment affirmed the conviction and life sentence given to 11 accused individuals involved in the gangrape of Bilkis Bano and the murder of her family members. The Bombay High Court criticized certain police officials and medical officers for their conduct during the case.
The Bombay High Court’s detailed verdict highlighted the negligence of some officials in handling the case. It pointed out that crucial information was omitted, indicating a deliberate attempt to hide facts. The court also found these officials guilty under specific sections of the Indian Penal Code. The appeals filed by the convicts against their conviction were dismissed by the Bombay High Court.
