The Supreme Court overturned Gujarat government’s decision to release 11 convicts, sentenced for life for the gang rape of Bilkis Bano and her family’s murder during the 2002 Gujarat communal riots. The court ruled that Maharashtra, where the trial occurred, had the authority for such decisions, not Gujarat. The release order was based on a fraudulently obtained Supreme Court judgment in 2022. Despite arguments that the release was permitted following a previous order, the Court found that crucial information was concealed. The convicts, initially sentenced by a Mumbai court, were granted remission by Gujarat in violation of the law. The accused, convicted of rape and other charges, had served 14 years in prison and demonstrated good behavior but were unlawfully released due to the fraudulent application of remission by the Gujarat government.
