NEW DELHI: Three convicts in the case of gangrape of Bilkis Bano and murder of seven of her family members during the 2002 riots in Gujarat moved the Supreme Court on Thursday seeking extension of time to surrender. One of the convicts had on Wednesday sought extension of four weeks, beyond January 22, to surrender to the jail authorities.
The other two convicts are Ramesh Rupabhai Chandana and Mitesh Chimanlal Bhat.
The top court on January 8 had quashed the Gujarat government’s decision to grant remission to 11 convicts in the case, saying the orders were “stereotyped” and passed without application of mind. It had asked the convicts to surrender before jail authorities in two weeks.
The matter seeking extension of time was mentioned before a bench of Justices B V Nagarathana and Sanjay Karol on Thursday. The bench then issued directions to the Registry to seek orders from CJI DY Chandrachud for reconstitution of the bench tomorrow (Jan 19) to take up the applications.
“It is stated by three respondents that applications have been filed for an extension of time to surrender and report to jail. Since the bench has to be reconstituted, registry to seek orders from CJI for reconstitution of the bench since time expires on Sunday (Jan 21),” the bench said
Convict Govindbhai Nai, in his application filed before the Supreme Court, had stated that he is the only caregiver for his ailing 88-year-old father, who is bedridden and completely dependent on him. He stated that his father is an elderly man suffering from asthma and in poor health and that he recently underwent surgery, including an angiography, and is scheduled for another operation for the treatment of hemorrhoids. He also mentioned that his mother is 75 years of age and also in poor health. Nai also said that he also a father of 2 children who are completely dependent on him for their financial and other needs.
