New Delhi: One of the convicts in the Bilkis Bano Rape case, Mitesh Chimanlal Bhatt, has been accused of committing an offence of outraging a woman’s modesty while he was out on parole in June 2020. The trial in the matter is pending, as per annexure in the Gujarat Govt affidavit in the Supreme Court, the Live Law reported.
Earlier in August, Gujarat government had granted remission to 11 convicts including Bhatt, who had gangraped Bilkis Bano and murdered her family members during the 2002 Godhra riots.
During the release of the convicts, the state government had stated that in a circular dated July 9, 1992, it had issued a policy for early releasing those prisoners who have completed 14 years of imprisonment who were imposed life imprisonment punishment.
The investigation was carried out by the CBI and the State government has obtained the approval or suitable orders of the government of India, it said.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Supreme Court listed for hearing on November 29 pleas challenging the decision of the Gujarat government to grant remission to the 11 convicts. A bench of Justices Ajay Rastogi and CT Ravikumar granted time to the petitioners who challenged the remission order to respond to the affidavit filed by the Gujarat government.
During the hearing, the bench told Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that the affidavit of the Gujarat government is very bulky. "It is a very big reply... So many judgments in a reply. Where is the factual statement? Where is the application of mind?" the bench remarked.
The bench asked the State government to supply a copy of the affidavit to the petitioners and posted it for hearing on November 29.
Gujarat government on Monday defended before the Supreme Court its decision to grant remission to the 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano case saying remission was granted as they completed 14 years sentence in prison and their "behaviour was found to be good".
The State government said it has considered the cases of all 11 prisoners as per the policy of 1992 and remission was granted on August 10, 2022, and the Central government also approved the pre-mature release of convicts. It is pertinent to note that the remission was not granted under the circular governing grant of remission to prisoners as part of the celebration of "Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav", it has said.
The affidavit stated, "State government considered all the opinions and decided to release 11 prisoners since they have completed 14 years and above in prisons and their behaviour was found to be good."
(With ANI Inputs)