From Le Figaro with AFP
Published 52 minutes ago, updated 5 minutes ago
A woman holds a placard during a protest against the release of men convicted in the Bilkis Bano gang rape on August 23, 2022 in Mumbai. INDRANIL MUKHERJEE / AFP
India's top court on Monday canceled the release of 11 convicts in a gang rape case and ordered their return to custody within two weeks.
The men, who were released in August 2022 on the recommendation of a panel of experts, were found guilty of raping pregnant woman Bilkis Bano and killing seven members of her family in the western state of Gujarat in 2002, one of the worst religious unrest since the country's independence . “Their request to protect their freedom is rejected,” the Supreme Court said on Monday. “Keeping them at liberty would be inconsistent with the rule of law,” that body said, adding that “arguments that appeal to emotions become hollow in the face of facts.”
“Cruel disregard for women”
The current Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, was the head of state of Gujarat at the time of these riots in 2002. Narendra Modi was accused of turning a blind eye to the riots but was acquitted in 2012, two years before his party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), took power across the country. The men were given a hero's welcome upon their release, with a widely shared video online showing relatives and well-wishers greeting them with sweets and garlands.
Her release sparked angry reactions across the country, particularly because it coincided with India's Independence Day celebrations, where Narendra Modi spoke about women's safety. “The release of these convicts has taken away my peace and shattered my faith in justice,” Bilkis Bano said in a statement at the time. “My grief and wavering faith are not just for me, but for all women fighting for justice in court.”
The opposition Congress party welcomed Monday's decision, saying it showed a “cruel disregard for women” by the BJP. “India will not allow the administration of justice to depend on the religion or caste of the victim or perpetrator of a crime,” said his spokesman Pawan Khera on the social network (ex-Twitter).