Bilkis Bano on the release of 11 prisoners: "Shook my faith," Omar Abdullah tweets

• Image Credit: Hindustan Times

• Aug 17, 2022 | Kabir Chakraborty

Leader of the National Conference Omar Abdullah also tweeted the statement.

"My peace of mind and trust in justice have been violated by the release of these criminals. My grief and waning faith are not only for me, but for every woman battling for justice in the courts "According to Bano's statement.

Digital Desk: Two days after the state
government approved their release under its remission policy, all 11 of the
defendants serving life sentences for the post-Godhra Bilkis Bano gang-rape and
murder of seven members of her family walked out of the Godhra sub-jail, the
defendant's attorney Shobha Gupta said in a statement that the latest
development has shaken her faith in justice.

Bano also pleaded with the government
of Gujarat to "correct this harm" and restore her "right to live
without fear and in peace."

Leader of the
National Conference Omar Abdullah also tweeted the statement.

"My peace of mind and trust in
justice have been violated by the release of these criminals. My grief and
waning faith are not only for me, but for every woman battling for justice in
the courts "According to Bano's statement.

"I had no
words to say. I still feel numb. I can only express this today: how can justice
for any woman come to this? I had faith in the top courts in the nation. I had
faith in the system, and I was gradually learning to cope with my trauma
"Added she.

"Before making such a significant
and unjust choice, no one asked about my safety and well-being. I beg the
Gujarati government to repair this damage. Give me back the freedom to live in
peace and safety. I ask that you please keep my family and I safe "Bano,
who was five months pregnant at the time of the gangrap and the deaths of seven
family members, spoke out.

According to a
senior government official, who spoke to news agency PTI, the offenders were
released in accordance with the Gujarati remission policy in effect at the time
of their conviction in 2008, and he or she refuted charges that this was done
in violation of the Centre's directives.

The
government's declaration, made by the senior home department official, followed
opposition allegations that the offenders' remission had violated the Center's
rules.

In June of
this year, as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (75 years of Independence)
festivities, the Center had given specific directives to states for the release
of condemned convicts.

Rape prisoners were not eligible for
early release from prison, according to the policy. Raj Kumar, the additional
chief secretary for home in Gujarat, claims that the Supreme Court requested
the government to take into account the early release of these 11 convicts
under the state's remission programme, which was in place at the time they were
found guilty in the case by the trial court.

On January 21,
2008, an extra-ordinary CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) court in Mumbai
sentenced the 11 defendants to life in jail for the gang rape and murder of
seven Bilkis Bano family members. The Bombay High Court later upheld their
conviction.

One
of these prisoners, who had already served more than 15 years in prison, went
before the Supreme Court and pleaded for an early release. The state
established a committee after the state of Gujarat was ordered by the supreme
court to investigate the possibility of his sentence being commuted.

After
the Godhra train burning event on February 27, 2002, which resulted in the
deaths of 59 passengers- mostly "kar sevaks"- communal riots had
broken out.