Jammu, 08-01-2024 : National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah expressed his satisfaction with the Supreme Court’s recent decision to annul the Gujarat government’s remission granted to 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano case. In his statement on Monday, Abdullah welcomed the court’s judgment, emphasizing its importance in ensuring justice for the victim of the heinous crime.
The Supreme Court, earlier in the day, declared the Gujarat government’s remission order for the 11 men convicted of raping Bilkis Bano and murdering seven of her family members during the 2002 communal riots in the state as an abuse of power. The court presided over by Justices B V Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan, not only quashed the remission but also directed the convicts to be returned to jail within two weeks.
Abdullah criticized the Gujarat government’s decision, highlighting the lack of application of mind in the remission order. The court raised pertinent questions about whether “heinous crimes against women permit remission,” regardless of the victim’s faith or creed. Abdullah applauded the Supreme Court’s decision, deeming the initial decision by the Gujarat government as incorrect.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a public meeting at Baran village in Bhalwal block on the outskirts of Jammu, Abdullah congratulated the apex court for its decision and underscored the need to rectify the injustice. He pointed out the unsettling reality of individuals welcoming the convicts with sweets upon their release following the remission, emphasizing the emotional toll on the victim.
Abdullah expressed empathy, stating that witnessing the release of the perpetrators of such a heinous crime was deeply unsettling. He anticipated the Gujarat government’s compliance with the court order, emphasizing the importance of delivering justice to Bilkis Bano. The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister concluded by affirming the need to stand up against such wrongs and fight for justice in the face of such injustices.
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