Bilkis Bano case: Centre, Gujarat govt agree to produce convicts' remission files before SC

SC defers to May 9 hearing on pleas challenging remission of 11 convicts in Bilkis Bano case

The Centre and Gujarat government on Tuesday told the Supreme Court that they would not claim privilege over the documents in connection with the remission of sentence of convicts in a case related to gang rape of Bilkis Bano and murder of her family members, during 2002 Gujarat riots as they agreed to share the documents with the apex court for its perusal.

Appearing for both the Centre and the state government, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta submitted before a bench of Justices K M Joseph and B V Nagarathna that they do not claim privilege over files in connection with grant of remission to 11 convicts in the case.

Also Read: Centre, Gujarat claim privilege on Bilkis Bano case convicts' remission files

He also said that they would not seek review of the apex court’s earlier order directing them to bring on record documents in connection with the remission of the convicts.

After recording Mehta’s statement, the court decided to take up the matter for further hearing on May 9.

On April 18, the Centre and Gujarat government claimed privilege over files and also said they would seek review of the court's March 27 order, asking them to be ready with the original files on remission granted to the convicts.

During the hearing, some of the counsel for the accused objected to alleged "false" claims made by Bano that they had refused to accept notice since it could not be served as the parties were out of station. They sought action against Bano for "playing fraud upon the court" even as her counsel denied the charges.

Justice Joseph, who is set to retire on June 19, expressed displeasure over the matter getting delayed.

"My last working day is on May 19. It is obvious you don't want me to hear this case. But this is not fair to me," he said.

Justice Joseph also suggested to sit during the summer vacations but this was opposed by Mehta and advocate Rishi Malhotra, appearing for the convicts.

The matter before the court related to the pleas filed by Bilkis Bano and others including former CPM MP Subhashini Ali, challenging premature release of the life term convicts in August, 2022.