'Trauma Of Past 20 Years Washed Over Me Again': Bilkis Bano On Release Of Convicts. Full Statement

All 11 convicts who were sentenced life imprisonment in the gangrape case of Bilkis Bano and murder of her family members during 2002 Gujarat riots walked out of Gujarat’s Godhara sub-jail on Monday.

Bilkis Bano, survivor of 2002 Gujarat riots, expressed her anguish over release of convicts

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New Delhi: Amid reactions from various sections of society over release of all 11 convicts of the Bilkis Bano gangrape case who were sentenced life imprisonment, on Wednesday, Bilkis Bano herself gave a statement saying that her faith in justice has been shaken and left her numb, reported news agency PTI. Criticising the decision to let the convicts free, she said that nobody enquired about her safety and well-being before taking “such a big and unjust decision”. 

She appealed to the Gujarat government to “undo this harm” and give back her “right to live without fear and in peace”. 

In a statement released by Bilkis’ lawyer Sobha on her behalf, the former said, “Two days ago, on August 15, 2022, the trauma of the past 20 years washed over me again when I heard that the 11 convicted men who devastated my family and my life, and took from me my three-year-old daughter, had walked free." 

Premature release of convicts who devastated my family and my life, and took from me my 3-year-old daughter, has shaken my faith in justice: Bilkis Bano

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 17, 2022

She said that the government’s decision has left her numb. 

"I was bereft of words. I am still numb," said the survivor of the gang rape and murder of her family members in one of the worst riots triggered by the Godhra train burning incident, reported the news agency. 

"how can justice for any woman end like this?" "I trusted the highest courts in our land. I trusted the system, and I was learning slowly to live with my trauma. The release of these convicts has taken from me my peace and shaken my faith in justice," Bilkis Bano said.

"My sorrow and my wavering faith is not for myself alone but for every woman who is struggling for justice in courts," she said.

The survivor urged the government to ensure her and that of her family’s safety post the release of the convicts.

"I appeal to the Gujarat Government, please undo this harm. Give me back my right to live without fear and in peace. Please ensure that my family and I are kept safe," she added.

All the eleven convicts who were sentenced life imprisonment in the gangrape case of Bilkis Bano and murder of her family members during 2002 Gujarat riots walked out of Gujarat’s Godhara sub-jail on Monday after the Supreme Court directed the Gujarat government to consider their plea for relief under the 1992 remission policy.

On January 21, 2008, a special CBI court in Mumbai had sentenced to life imprisonment all the 11 accused in the case for murder and gang rape. Their conviction was later upheld by Bombay High Court.

These convicts served more than 15 years in prison, after which one of them approached the Supreme Court with a plea for his premature release after which the apex court directed the Gujarat government to look into the issue of remission of his sentence asper 1992 remission policy on the basis of the date of his conviction. 

A committee was constituted thereafter which later issued an order allowing premature release of all the 11 convicts  — Jaswantbhai Nai, Govindbhai Nai, Shailesh Bhatt, Radhesham Shah, Bipin Chandra Joshi, Kesarbhai Vohania, Pradeep Mordhiya, Bakabhai Vohania, Rajubhai Soni, Mitesh Bhatt, and Ramesh Chandana — from jail. 

On March 3, 2002, Bilkis Bano's family was attacked by a mob at Randhikpur village in Limkheda taluka of Dahod district. Bilkis Bano, who was five months pregnant at theb time, was gang raped and seven members of her family were killed by rioters.