In June, the Centre had proposed to release convicted prisoners to mark the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav but rape convicts were not listed among those who could be released.
New Delhi: It seems there is a divide between the Centre and the Gujarat government on the treatment of rape convicts. The apparent difference came to light after the release of 11 men who were serving life imprisonment for the gangrape of Bilkis Bano and the murder of her family during the Godhra riots of 2002.
In June, the Centre had proposed to release convicted prisoners to mark the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav but rape convicts were not listed among those who could be released. However, the Gujarat government followed its own policy as per Supreme Court directions and released the convicts. The apex court had asked the state government to consider a remission plea by one of the convicts.
The Centre had vehemently opposed the release of rape victims. In Page 4 of the guidelines to the states on releasing convicts, the Centre had said no one with life sentence will be released.
Bilkis Bano was 21-year-old and five months pregnant when she was raped. Her toddler daughter was killed along with six others of the family on March 3, 2002. Bano and her family were hiding in the fields, hoping to escape the violence after a coach of the Sabarmati Express was burnt killing 59 karsevaks.
A special court in Mumbai had sentenced the 11 accused to life in prison in 2008 and later, the Bombay High Court upheld the order. One of the convicts earlier this year went to court to plead for premature release under the CrPC as he had served 15 years in prison. The Supreme Court said a decision can be taken by the Gujarat government.
After their release on Monday, the convicts were greeted with sweets outside the Godhra jail.