India / 2002 Gujarat riots Bilkis Bano said Give Me Back My Right To Live Without Fear And In Peace

Gujarat : Reacting for the first time on the release of gang rape and murder convicts, Bilkis Bano on Wednesday said the move had "shaken their faith in justice". He said, "It happened two days on August 15, 2022, like the shock of the last 20 years fell like havoc again on me. When I heard that 11 accused who destroyed my whole life, destroyed my entire family before my eyes, snatched my 3 year old daughter from me, all those accused have been released. roaming free. I had no words after hearing this. I have become numb and silent." It is noteworthy that after the Godhra incident in Gujarat, all the 11 convicts sentenced to life imprisonment in the Bilkis Bano gang rape case in 2002 were released from the Godhra sub-jail on Monday. Their release was approved under

Speaking on the release of the convicts, Bilkis said, "I have no words. I had faith in the highest courts of our country. I had faith in the system, and I was slowly getting used to living with this huge blow." " A special CBI court in Mumbai had on January 21, 2008 sentenced 11 convicts to life imprisonment for the gang rape and murder of seven members of Bilkis Bano's family. His conviction was later upheld by the Bombay High Court. These convicts served more than 15 years of imprisonment, after which one of them approached the Supreme Court for their premature release.

Reacting to the latest developments, Bilkis said, "No one asked about my safety and well-being before taking such a big and unjust decision. I appeal to the Gujarat government, please withdraw this decision. I have no fear." And give back my right to live in peace. Please ensure that my family and I are kept safe."

On March 3, 2002, during the post-Godhra riots, a mob attacked the family of Bilkis Bano in Randhikpur village of Limkheda taluka of Dahod district. Bilkis was five months pregnant at the time. She was gang-raped and seven members of her family were murdered. The court was told that six other members had fled the spot. The accused in this case were arrested in 2004.

His lawyer Shobha has issued a statement on behalf of Bilkis Bano. Read the full statement here-

"Two days ago, on 15th August, 2022, the shock of the last 20 years struck me again like havoc. When I heard that the 11 accused who destroyed my whole life, destroyed my entire family before my eyes, my 3 years old daughter snatched from me, all those accused have been released. They are roaming free. After hearing this I had no words. I have become numb and silent. Today all I can say is - Is this the end of justice given to a woman? I placed faith in the highest court of this country. I believed in this system. I was slowly learning to live with my shock. The release of these 11 accused made me cry. My peace has been taken away and my faith in the system of justice has been shaken. My sorrow and this shaky faith is not only for myself but for all the women who are fighting in courts today for justice. To release these accused. No one asked me before such a big and unjust decision. Didn't think of my safety and restoration. I appeal to Gujarat government to withdraw this harmful decision. , Give me back my right to live peacefully and fearlessly. Ensure the safety of me and my family."