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'Justice for Bilkis Bano' push from Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka as SC hears pleas
Slamming the BJP, Rahul Gandhi said, “Those who give hollow slogans like Beti Bachao are saving the rapists.”
As the Supreme Court on Thursday heard the pleas against the release of the 11 convicts of the Bilkis Bano gangrape case, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra demanded justice for Bilkis Bano. "Those who give hollow slogans like Beti Bachao are saving the rapists. Today the question is about the respect and entitlement of the women of the country," Rahul Gandhi tweeted. Questioning the silence of the BJP leaders on the release of the 11 convicts and their welcome thereafter at the VHP party office, Priyanka Gandhi said, "The women of the country still have hopes from the Constitution. The constitution also gives courage to the woman standing in the last row to fight for justice. Give justice to Bilkis Bano," Priyanka Gandhi tweeted. Also Read: Mahua Moitra's jibe at 'calculated tears' ahead of Supreme Court hearing on Bilkis Bano convicts' release today
Supreme Court issues notice on the release of Bilkis Bano convicts
The Supreme Court on Thursday heard the pleas against the remission of the 11 convicts who were given life sentences for raping Bilkis Bano and murdering her family members. The top court issued notices to the Centre and the Gujarat government on the petitions and said the Supreme Court had not ordered their release but only asked the state to "consider remission as per the policy". "The question is, under Gujarat rules, are the convicts entitled to remission or not? We have to see whether there was any application of mind in this case while granting remission," the Supreme Court said.
Bilkis Bano was raped in 2002 in the Gujarat riots following the Godhra train burning. Seven of her family members, including he 3-year-old daughter, were killed by them. On August 15 this year, the convicts walked out of the Godhra jail as the government allowed their release under the remission policy.
