Gujarat Government not competent to release the 11 men convicted by a Maharashtra Court – SC’s decision in Bilkis Bano case

New Delhi – On 15th August 2002, the Gujarat Government waived the sentence of 11 accused in the Bilkis Bano gang-rape case. Bilkis Bano challenged this decision in the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court has disagreed with the Gujarat Government’s decision. The Court said that as the judgement was given by a Court from Maharashtra, the Gujarat Government could not overrule it.

After the Godhra massacre was carried out by Muslims, riots broke out. 11 men were accused of gang-raping Bilkis Bano at that time. Also, 7 members of her family were killed. The 11 accused in this case were sentenced to life imprisonment. Though the crime had taken place in Gujarat, the accused were tried and sentenced in the Court of Maharashtra. The Supreme Court gave a decision that, since the case was tried in Maharashtra, the Gujarat Government had no right to overrule it as it comes under the jurisdiction of the Maharashtra Government.