Bilkis Bano case convicts seek more time to surrender, SC agrees to hear plea

Three convicts in the case of gangrape of Bilkis Bano and murder of seven of her family members during the 2002 riots in Gujarat moved the Supreme Court on Thursday seeking extension of time to surrender.

The top court on January 8 had quashed the Gujarat government's decision to grant remission to 11 convicts in the case, saying the orders were "stereotyped" and passed without application of mind.

It had asked the convicts to surrender before jail authorities in two weeks.

The matter seeking extension of time was mentioned before a bench of Justices B V Nagarathana and Sanjay Karol on Thursday which asked the Registry to place the plea before the Chief Justice of India for reconstitution of the bench and listing of the applications tomorrow.

"It is stated by three respondents that applications have been filed for an extension of time to surrender and report to jail. Since the bench has to be reconstituted, registry to seek orders from CJI for reconstitution of the bench since time expires on Sunday," the bench said.

The apex was also told that other convicts in the case are also likely to apply for an extension during the course of the day. Justice Nagarathana said the petitions will then be heard together.

So far, extention of time for surrender has been sought by Govindbhai Nai, Mitesh Chimanlal Bhatt, and Ramesh Rupabhai Chandana, who are among 11 convicts sentenced to life imprisonment for multiple counts of rape and murder during the communal riots in Gujarat in 2002. The Gujarat government granted remission of sentences to all of them in August 2022 after they served 14 years in jail.

On January 8, the Supreme Court set aside the order for premature release of the convicts. The Bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan ruled that the Gujarat government was not the competent authority to grant remission since the trial was held in Maharashtra.

The top court directed all 11 rapists to surrender within two weeks.

With inputs from PTI.

Also watch | Bilkis Bano case: SC says Gujarat govt didn't have powers to release, all rapists to return to jail