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".
In a daze the victim handed over her gold locket and a pair of golden tops to the accused. When she regained her senses she called the police. Based on her complaint, the police registered a case under sections 420 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code.
In regulatory filing, Reliance Jio, the telecom arm of the Reliance group, said the Board of Directors at its meeting held on Monday "approved the appointment of Akash Ambani, Non-executive Director, as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the company".
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Mohali, Vivek Sheel Soni, on Tuesday ordered registration of an FIR against Sub-Inspector (S-I) Balwinder Singh in the firing incident in Dera Bassi in Punjab. The SSP also initiated departmental action against three police personnel present at the spot for major punishment.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday informed the Assembly that the state will soon bring a resolution in the House to oppose the Centre's Agnipath scheme regarding the defence recruitment. Also, he said, a resolution on condemning the ban on Sidhu Moosewala's new song, SYL, on YouTube.
The Special Cell sought fourteen days police custody. The police move was opposed by advocate Deepak Tyagi who appeared for Kumar. The court after hearing the arguments allowed the police request and sent him to police custody.
In a statement released here, Sirsa said he had claimed from day one that the excise policy of Delhi and now of Punjab has been framed to benefit large contractors from whom the AAP wanted to get election funds to contest elections in time to come in Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat.
