JOIN USHailing the verdict upholding life sentences handed to 11 convicts, gang-rape survivor Bilkis Bano said she and her family can now begin their lives without fear.
“My rights as a human being, citizen, woman and mother were violated in the most brutal manner, but I have trusted in the democratic institutions of our country. Now, my family and I feel we can begin to lead our lives again, free of fear,” Bilkis said in a statement issued through her lawyers.
“I wish to say to all my fellow Indian citizens, my fellow Gujaratis, my fellow Muslims and to women everywhere: I am grateful that this verdict delivered by the honourable judges has, yet again, vindicated my truth and upheld my faith in the judiciary,” she said.
“I am happy that the state and its officials who emboldened, encouraged and protected the criminals who destroyed the life of an entire community are no longer unblemished, but today stand charged with tampering of evidence.
“For officers of the state, whose sworn duty it is to protect citizens and enable justice, this should be their great moral shame, to bear forever,” it further read.
*Bilkis Bano was gang-raped in March 2002 during the Gujarat riots; she was 19 and pregnant.
*14 of her family members, including her 3-year-old daughter, were murdered.
*In January 2008, 11 of the 19 were sentenced to life imprisonment over gang-rape and murder charges.
*The CBI had sought death penalty for three of the 11 convicted in the case.