Bilkis Bano case convicts release with eye on elections: Congress
Darpan News Desk IANS, 18 Oct, 2022 11:52 AM
New Delhi, Oct 18 (IANS) Congress on Tuesday questioned the Union government for the preferential treatment given to the Bilkis Bano case convicts, alleging that it has been done for elections.
Addressing a press conference, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said that the Gujarat government affidavit "proves beyond a shadow of doubt that the release was a political decision made with not just the knowledge but the concurrence of those in the highest echelons of power in the Modi government".
He questioned why the Modi Government, despite the objections of senior officials, sought to grant preferential treatment to individuals convicted of such a reprehensible, horrific, and heinous crime.
"Has the Modi government decided to pardon all convicted rapists and child murders who have served a certain period? With what face will the Modi government now oppose demands for parole which cite this precedent? Will such treatment be granted to all individuals who are accused of heinous offences? Or was this a limited time offer contingent on the upcoming elections?" he asked.
The party said that the grant of premature release to the convicts in the Bilkis Bano case is "a stain on this government'ss legacy that will never wash off".
"It is repugnant, reprehensible, and revolting, that an elected government in a democracy chose to release these convicts in such a cavalier manner," Singhvi added.
He said the revelations came to light when the Gujarat government, in its reply in the ongoing Bilkis Bano case before the Supreme Court, revealed that the Centre had given its "concurrence and approval" for the release of the individuals convicted of gang rape and the murder of a 3.5-year-old child and various members of her family.
"When the release was ordered on August 15, 2022, the Modi government had maintained a studied and deliberate silence on the release of the criminals, an action which has since drawn legitimate criticism the world over and exposed our system to widespread shame and ridicule," Singhvi said.
He said that there are many compromises in politics, "but the BJP has made the greatest compromise of all; A sacrifice of the last shred of conscience that separated them from those craven and venal elements who prize solely their own political survival over all else".
The IAF deeply regrets the loss of lives and stands firmly with the bereaved families, it said, adding that a court of inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the accident. The aircraft had took off from Uttarlai airbase and crashed near Bhimda village.
The videos of LPG cylinders, cars and other vehicles floating on streets amid gushing water are going viral on social media. Officials said that rain started to pour the city on Monday evening which continued till Wednesday leaving residents stranded as streets were water clogged bringing traffic to a standstill.
The vessel, worth around Rs 30 crore, was allgedly being used by by Pankaj Mishra, a close aide of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren. It was being operated illegally without having any permit from Sukargarh Ghat, Sahebganj, the agency said, adding that the vessel was seized during a search operation conducted on Tuesday.
The accused were identified as Mohd Sahil, 28, Mohd Waseem, 18, Mohd Yusuf, 29, and Ashish Chawla, 43. Deputy Commissioner of Police, South, Benita Mary Jaiker said that the matter came to notice when a PCR call was received on July 18, reporting that a courier package having 80 knives was found dropped in C.R. Park area.
Officials said under a pilot project net metering roof top solar power plant in four mandis are being installed and such solar power plants will be installed in 23 mandis. The minister said a project report should be prepared for all grain and vegetable markets for setting up net monitoring solar power plants so that the people can be provided with affordable electricity.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was released by the Delhi Police almost over six hours after he was detained during his party's march from Parliament to Rashtrapati Bhawan, officials said Tuesday. "They have been released," Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Amrutha Gugolth said while responding to a query about the Congress party leaders' detention.
