Indian police, medics convicted in Gujarat riots gangrape case

[pakistan cricket fan]

MUMBAI (AFP) - An Indian court Thursday convicted five police officers and two doctors of tampering with evidence in the gang rape of a pregnant woman and the murder of her family during one of the worst incidents of religious unrest since independence.

Bilkis Bano was gang raped and seven of her relatives were killed during religious riots that broke out in the western state of Gujarat in 2002.

At least 2,000 Muslims were hacked, beaten, shot or burnt to death in the violence, which erupted after a group of Hindu pilgrims died in a train fire wrongly blamed on a Muslim mob.

On Thursday a court in the western city of Mumbai overturned an earlier acquittal of the seven accused following an appeal by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). It also upheld the convictions of 11 Hindu men convicted of rape and murder in the case.

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In a statement to the media, Bilkis expressed satisfaction that officials who had "emboldened, encouraged, and protected" her attackers had finally been convicted.

"My rights, as a human being, as a citizen, woman, and mother were violated in the most brutal manner, but I had trust in the democratic institutions of our country," she said.

"Now, my family and I feel we can begin to lead our lives again, free of fear."

Bano and two of her children were the only survivors in a group of 17 Muslims who were attacked in 2002. Her three-year-old daughter was among the victims.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was the state s chief minister at the time, was accused of turning a blind eye to the violence but was cleared of any wrongdoing in 2012.

The state government has been accused of dragging its heels in prosecuting those accused in the riots.

"As per my knowledge, this is the first time that police officials have been convicted in any case pertaining to the Gujarat riots," special counsel for the CBI Hiten Venegavkar told AFP.

"No fresh trials will be carried out and the seven convicted (today) can appeal to the Supreme Court of India," Vengavkar added.

http://dunyanews.tv/index.php/en/Crime/386814-Indian-police-medics-convicted-in-Gujarat-riots-g

 

[troodon]

Nothing will soothe those families who got destroyed by riots. Its a scar that will haunt them for the rest of their lives.

 

[Couch Cricketer]

With the religious zealots out it in both countries shows how similar we are just the name and religion is changed. In both countries people are dying for so called blasphemy (cow slaughter) rumors. The stuff they are doing in modern age chills me to think what they probably did to each other during partition 70 years ago. And I somewhat understand the generational hate some have for each other.

Sent from the mobile client - Forum Talker

 

[MenInG]

The 11 men convicted for the gang rape of Bilkis Bano during the 2002 Gujarat riots were released as they had been in jail for 14 years and their behaviour was found to be good, the Gujarat government told the Supreme Court today. The court is hearing three petitions challenging the release of the men, who walked free on Independence Day.

In an affidavit filed in the top court, the Gujarat government said the Union Home Ministry had approved the premature release through a letter dated 11.07.2022.

The convicts were released under an outdated remission policy, setting off a huge political controversy. Bilkis Bano has said she was not consulted or informed about the decision.

CPM Politburo member Subhashini Ali, Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, and one other person had challenged the release in court.

The convicts were sentenced to life term in jail by a special court in Mumbai for the gangrape and the murder of seven members of Bilkis Bano's family.

What made the state government's decision more controversial was that the recommendation was based on the Gujarat government's 1992 remission policy. Unlike the later policies in both the state and at the Centre, it did not have restrictions on the premature release of those convicted for rape or sentenced to life imprisonment.

NDTV

 

[rickroll]

The 11 men convicted for the gang rape of Bilkis Bano during the 2002 Gujarat riots were released as they had been in jail for 14 years and their behaviour was found to be good, the Gujarat government told the Supreme Court today. The court is hearing three petitions challenging the release of the men, who walked free on Independence Day.

In an affidavit filed in the top court, the Gujarat government said the Union Home Ministry had approved the premature release through a letter dated 11.07.2022.

The convicts were released under an outdated remission policy, setting off a huge political controversy. Bilkis Bano has said she was not consulted or informed about the decision.

CPM Politburo member Subhashini Ali, Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, and one other person had challenged the release in court.

The convicts were sentenced to life term in jail by a special court in Mumbai for the gangrape and the murder of seven members of Bilkis Bano's family.

What made the state government's decision more controversial was that the recommendation was based on the Gujarat government's 1992 remission policy. Unlike the later policies in both the state and at the Centre, it did not have restrictions on the premature release of those convicted for rape or sentenced to life imprisonment.

NDTV

I wish they were given death penalties instead of this 14 year jail sentence.