The Supreme Court on August 17 advised the Gujarat government against the practice of granting remission selectively to convicts.
The apex court emphasized that every prisoner should be given the opportunity to reform and reintegrate into society.
The top court's strong observations came while hearing a plea in Bilkis Bano case.
The court also raised questions on the Jail Advisory Committee formed for Bilkis convicts asking on what basis the panel was formed, ordering the state to provide details.
The Gujarat government had released all 11 convicts involved in the Bilkis Bano gangrape case from the 2002 riots, and they were defending their decision in court.