Eleven men convicted in the 2002 Bilkis Bano gang rape and murder case walked out of the Godhra sub-jail after the remission of their sentences. After 15 years in jail, the 11 men were set free which generated mixed reactions with celebrations among the family of the now freed convicts and concern among the family members of Bilkis Bano and those aiding her.
Bilkis’s husband Yakub Patel said that he had come to know about the release of the convicts only from the media. He said, “we did not know anything about it. We have fear in our minds now. We were always afraid, but it has increased further. He pointed out that after the conviction was upheld by SC, they were trying to rebuild their lives. We were staying at different places for several years and were planning to settle at one place when this happened. We are very unhappy with the decision. Also, Bilkis was shocked at the decision and was not willing to speak to anybody. When asked if they would challenge the decision of releasing the convicts, he said that they could not decide on it as they did not have any information. “We do not have any papers as yet and no intimation about it. We are trying to get more details and till then cannot say anything.”
Panchmahal district collector Sujal Mayatra said that the convicts were set free based on the recommendation of a committee formed a few months ago to consider their release under the state government’s remission policy. The committee recommended that the 11 convicts be considered under the remission policy of the state which the Gujarat government accepted. The committee was formed under the direction of the apex court.
