CBI for death penalty for three accused in Bilkis Bano case

The CBI has approached the Bombay High Court seeking death penalty for three accused and challenging the acquittal of seven others in the Bilkis Bano rape case.

The CBI has approached the Bombay High Court seeking death penalty for three accused and challenging the acquittal of seven others in the Bilkis Bano rape case.

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A sessions court in January last year had convicted 13 persons of the 20 accused in the case and sentenced 11 of them to life imprisonment. The High Court on Saturday issued notices to the accused.

The CBI has sought enhancement of punishment to death for Jaswant Nai, Govind Nai and Shailesh Bhatt, who have been charged with raping Bilkis.

The agency has also challenged the acquittal of seven persons including four police officers and a doctor couple.

Bilkis, who was five months pregnant, and her family were chased by a violent mob in Dahod district during the Gujrat riots on March 3, 2002.