Law & Justice

Persisting when anyone else would have dithered, Bilkis Bano and husband, Yakub Rasool kept their faith in the law and the Constitution

Even after the bench accepted that some of the speeches delivered by Singh previously were “certainly objectionable”, they refused to decline to stop the rallies, take pre-emptive action

In a recent decision of the Gauhati High Court that noted discrepancies and ignorance of procedure established by law in orders of the Foreigners’ Tribunal, has directed reviews by state government to the orders of the FT wherein “suspected illegal migrants/foreigners” are declared citizens

Bilkis Bano has fought a hard, challenging battle. As one of the 1,958 women Muslim survivors of the targeted violence in Gujarat in 2002, she can now breathe some sighs of relief, if the convicts are “found” by the Gujarat police and report to prison by January 22 (the deadline set by the Supreme Court). There is also a possibility that these convicts now approach the Maharashtra government for remission under section 432 of the CrPC

In a representation to the National Human Rights Commission...

I attended the hearing on Thursday of South Africa’s case against Israel for genocide at the International Court of Justice. I was able to sit in the public gallery and watch all the proceedings. I was, however, handicapped in reporting by the fact that we were not allowed pens or pencils (though we were allowed paper). I asked the Head of Security at the ICJ why pens were not allowed in the public gallery. He told me, with a perfectly straight face, that they could be used as a weapon. So bereft of my deadly ballpoint, this account is less detailed and more impressionistic than I would wish to give you.

In a habeas corpus plea moved against restriction of movement of an alleged foreigner, the bench noted that foreign national cannot claim that he has right to reside and settle in India in terms of Article 19 (1) (e)

Twenty-two years ago, almost to the day, Bilkis Bano gave an oral statement recounting the horrors of what she had been through, to Communalism Combat magazine. Given the rather glaring trajectory of the case, where despite Bilkis’ Complaint, FIR with detailed facts, recounting the incident and naming accused, the Godhra police filed a ‘closure’ report (A Summary) which was even accepted by the local court, it is crucial that we re-visit, and read, in Bilkis’ words, her tale. Following the failures of the local administration, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) provided her the legal aid to ensure she finally does find justice, and peace.

Through a powerfully worded letter issued through her lawyer, Bilkis Bano thanked the Supreme Court, her family, friends and lawyer as well as the thousands of people who extended their solidarity to her.

While delivering the verdict, J. Nagarathna slams the Gujarat government to “act in tandem” with the convicts, highlights that it was the very apprehension of complicity of the Gujarat government with convicts that resulted in transfer of case to another state