English हिन्दी
Connect with us

India News

Gujarat 2002’s victim Bilkis Bano wants her daughters to grow up in a safe India

Published

9 years ago

on

Gujarat 2002’s victim Bilkis Bano wants her daughters to grow up in a safe India

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Bilkis and her family have moved house over 20 times. The new threat to their livelihood is posed by gau rakshaks, says her husband.

By Rashme Sehgal

The Bombay High Court judgement on the Bilkis Bano case is historic as this is the first time that police impunity in criminal action has been acknowledged by the judiciary. State officials, including police and doctors, have been indicted for their role in aiding and abetting the most heinous of crimes.

The convicted policemen and doctors are Narpat Singh, Idris Abdul Saiyed, Bikabhai Patel, Ramsingh Bhabhor, Ramanbhai Bhagora, Dr Arun Kumar Prasad and Dr Sangeeta Kumar Prasad. They have received a sentence of three years imprisonment with each of them also expected to pay a fine of Rs 20,000 within eight weeks

On March 3, 2002, 19-year-old Bilkis Bano fled her village along with her father, mother and other members of her family in a truck because their homes  had been burnt down by Hindutva mobs following the alleged burning of a coach of the Sabarmati Express at Godhra, which resulted in the death of 56 people. The truck was stopped by an armed mob of rioters in Randhikpur village near Ahmedabad where not only did a mob gangrape a five-month pregnant Bilkis but went on to kill 14 members of her family including her two-year-old daughter and her ageing mother.

The most shocking aspect of this killing was how the bodies of Bano’s relatives were beheaded and then buried by the police in unmarked graves, which, in turn, were filled with what has been reported to over 90 kg salt to ensure quicker decomposition. The body of Bano’s daughter, Saleha, was never found.

Bilkis has suffered a  long, arduous journey to secure justice. Following the rape, she approached the Limkheda police station, where officials reluctantly filed a FIR but did not name the rapists, whom Bano had identified. In fact, all three rapists were known to her with two being in their early 50s. Her family used to sell milk to them and as she tried to flee from them, she said, “Why are you doing this to me. I know you and have been like a daughter to you.”

The judicial magistrate closed the case on the basis of inputs by the Gujarat Police who claimed they had found several “inconsistencies” in Bano’s version.

Bano appealed to the National Human Rights Commission, who, in turn, asked Harish Salve to represent her case before the Supreme Court. A CBI inquiry was ordered as also action against the Gujarat Police officers for effecting a cover-up. Since Bilkis and other witnesses were facing harassment, the Supreme Court transferred the case to Mumbai.

It was only in 2004 that the CBI arrested 12 accused people and found the Gujarat Police complicit in the cover-up. As she and other witnesses faced threats continuously, the Supreme Court also appointed a public prosecutor on Bano’s request.

On the basis of the CBI chargesheet, which named 20 people including six police officers and two government doctors as the accused, and the cross-examination of 73 witnesses, the Mumbai sessions court found 12 people guilty but acquitted five police officers and the two doctors. But the Bombay High Court went a step further and on May 4 this year, it upheld the life sentence to the 11 surviving convicts by the lower court, thereby vindicating all she had said from the start.

Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi, Bano and her husband Yakoob  Khan welcomed the judgement. “We are happy with the judgement of the Bombay High Court. My family is also happy. We are happy that the police and doctors have been found guilty. They must be punished,” she said.

“We have had to undergo a lot of sufferings. We want to start afresh. We want to educate our children. Such has been our experience in the last 15 years that our eldest daughter wants to become a lawyer now,” Bilkis Bano said.

Yakoob, who sat next to her during the press meet, was holding their young daughter. “Although our journey for justice has been longdrawn, our faith in the Indian judiciary had been re-established. We are relieved now. I also hope that, like Bilkis, rape survivors of all communities should get justice,” he said.

Elaborating on the challenges she faced over the last 15 years, Bilkis said, “We have faced many threats during our struggle for justice. The Sessions Court gave parole to the accused, who would come to our village to threaten us. They would hold meetings in the village to try and intimidate us.”

Since the 2002 riots, Bano and Yakoob have  moved homes at least 20 times while trying to find refuge in Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad and Vadodara.  Each change of address meant a change in their children’s schools. They had to take their young children with them, every time they had to make a court appearance in Mumbai, where Bano’s case was shifted once the CBI found evidence of the Gujarat Police’s complicity in the cover-up.

While the Bombay High Court directed that the fine money imposed on the accused be given to Bilkis, the sad reality is that there is no government mechanism to compensate survivors of communal violence.

As Bilkis said at the press meet that she has not received any help from either the state or the Central government. But she was insistent on one point. “No one from the government has met us in the last 15 years but today, I am grateful to the judiciary. I feel justice has been served. Mujhe insaaf chahiye, mujhe badla nahi chahiye ( I want justice, I do not want revenge). I want my daughters to grow up in a safe India,” she said.

Activist-writer Farah Naqvi pointed out, “Bilkis Bano in her writ to the Supreme Court filed in 2004 had asked for compensation. But amongst the list of injuries that the government offers compensation for, social violence has not even been acknowledged. The result is that Bilkis received Rs 1.75 lakh for the death of her  daughter as did her father and other members of her extended family for the loss of their family members, this is all Bilkis has received.”

She called for a national policy with standard norms of compensation to be paid for victims of social and communal violence, which can at least help them fight their legal battles.

Bilkis’ lawyer Vijay Hiremath from Mumbai pointed out that there is no clarity among states on the quantum of compensation to be paid to victims of violence. In 2016, the Supreme Court directed that all states come up with a scheme as to how much compensation they were willing to offer but this has been primarily compensation for rape victims.

“While Maharashtra is offering Rs 3 lakh, the state of Goa has announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh. But Bilkis cannot lay claim to this only because this is not being applied retrospectively,” Hiremath said.

The Lucknow-based Madhavi Kuckreja, who has worked closely with a team of activists to provide support to Bilkis, regrets the lack of a clear policy in a country which is facing a rising graph of communal incidents.

“While the UP government has announced a policy to compensate acid victims, nothing is given to riot victims who often face physical violence and  are also victims of displacement. Following the riots in Muzaffarnagar, victims there were given Rs 5 lakh to build new homes but this is not the norm,” she said.

The accused in the Bilkis Bano case are expected to file an appeal in the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, Bilkis and Yakoob hope they can lead a more settled life in future. This will not be easy. Their families are in the cattle rearing and trading business which has been facing increasing threats from gaurakshak groups in Gujarat.

“Our traditional business has always been cattle-rearing and trading. But now we are being seen as butchers. We fear getting attacked all the time just for doing our job. We have to figure out what we will do in the future,” Yakoob said.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

India News

Chirag Delhi PG evacuated after large crack found in building

A Chirag Delhi PG was evacuated after a large crack was found in the four-storey building, days after the Satya Niketan collapse.

Published

50 mins ago

on

September 9, 2026

By

A paying-guest accommodation in Delhi’s Chirag Delhi area was evacuated late at night after a large crack was noticed in the four-storey building, prompting authorities to move students out as a precaution.

The development comes just days after a PG building collapsed in Satya Niketan, killing seven people, including five students and two labourers.

Students shifted to temporary accommodation

Following an inspection, the front and back gates of the Chirag Delhi PG were sealed.

Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood said the large crack was noticed the previous night and the local administration evacuated the students as a precautionary measure.

Male students were shifted to Bhagat Singh College, while female students were moved to the Vocational College, according to the minister.

The administration also assured the students that they would receive help in retrieving their belongings and security deposits.

Crack and structural damage found inside building

The building showed visible signs of damage, with chunks of cement and debris scattered across the floor. Parts of the structure appeared damaged, while exposed wiring was also visible.

Water seepage and damp patches were reported on the walls and ceiling. A large crack near the main gate was seen extending upwards towards the top of the building, with damaged and chipped plaster around it.

Delhi steps up scrutiny of PG accommodations

The evacuation has come amid increased attention on the safety of student accommodation in Delhi following the Satya Niketan building collapse.

The Delhi government is working on legislation to regulate paying-guest accommodations. The proposed framework includes mandatory licences, police and civic clearances, unique registration numbers and a government portal listing verified PGs.

The proposed measures also include CCTV cameras at entrances and common areas, visitor registers, security guards for larger PGs and wardens who can respond during emergencies. The government is also considering provisions related to rent, security deposits and eviction notices.

Crackdown on illegal construction

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has ordered a crackdown on illegal construction, with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi carrying out demolition drives and increasing inspections of PGs and hostels.

Officials are also examining building records to determine when unauthorised construction took place and which agency or official had jurisdiction at the time.

The action follows the Satya Niketan collapse, where construction and building permissions have come under scrutiny. Preliminary reports have identified structural vulnerabilities, ongoing work and possible unauthorised construction as areas of investigation.

Police to engage with students

The Delhi Police has separately directed senior officers to regularly interact with students staying in PGs, rented accommodation and other forms of student housing.

Police officials have been asked to address concerns related to security, harassment, women’s safety and accommodation, while coordinating with civic and other agencies when required.

Areas with a high concentration of colleges, universities and PGs have been identified as priorities. Police officials have been directed to submit an action-taken report by September 20.

Political exchange over Chirag Delhi evacuation

The Chirag Delhi evacuation also triggered a political exchange. Sood criticised former Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj and accused him of trying to politicise the issue.

Sood said Bharadwaj had been the area’s MLA for 10 years and questioned accountability over a hostel allegedly operating in a building with cracks.

Continue Reading

India News

APN News-Hansraj College launch future-ready AI media courses, provide industry and legal news exposure

Published

8 hours ago

on

September 9, 2026

By

In a historic initiative for media and education, Delhi University’s prestigious Hansraj College has joined hands with APN News’ Global Foundation for Media and Innovation Institute (GFMI) and Balaji Foundation to launch industry-oriented advanced diploma courses in Artificial Intelligence and digital innovation.

Earlier, an MoU was signed between Ms. Rajshri Rai, Editor-in-Chief, APN News and Chairperson, Balaji Foundation, and Prof. Rama, Principal, Hansraj College. 

On Tuesday, both launched the future-ready AI media courses in a formal ceremony. On the occasion of the launch, a special industry seminar on the theme “New Age Media and Marketing” was organised, which witnessed enthusiastic participation from students.

On the occasion, Ms. Rajshri Rai, Editor-in-Chief, APN News, Ms. Jyotsna Das Nanda, AVP-Corporate Communications, DS Group, and Mr. Abhinav Pandey, Founding Editor, The Newspinch, addressed the students.

The programmes focus on Artificial Intelligence, media, communication and digital innovation. The courses integrate media education with Artificial Intelligence to train students in new technology-based journalism, content creation and digital media. 

Along with this, courses in AI Digital Marketing, Branding and Advertising have also been launched.

The curriculum will offer Live Newsroom Exposure, Project-Based Learning and Internship Opportunities along with expertise in legal news, enabling students to enter the media world with practical experience.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Rajshri Rai said, “The main objective of this partnership is to integrate emerging technologies into professional education like Mass Communication, Advertising, Marketing, Legal Studies and Digital Media. Under this initiative, students will be given special training in skills like AI-powered journalism, digital branding, OTT production and strategic communication, so that the gap between studies and industry needs can be bridged.”

Prof. Rama, Principal, Hansraj College, said, “Hansraj College has always believed in academic innovation and future-focused learning. Through this partnership, our aim is to give students practical exposure, new technology skills and an opportunity to connect with industry as per global trends.”

To make the courses accessible to students across the country, they will be available in both online and offline modes. Apart from classroom teaching, the programme will have special focus on internship, mentorship, career counselling, live industry exposure and placement assistance. 

The faculty comprises experienced and renowned professors.The response from students has been highly encouraging, with more than two-thirds of seats already filled and enquiries still pouring in.

The initiative is expected to become a new and pioneering model for AI-integrated media education in India, connecting education with technology, employment and the practical needs of the industry.

Continue Reading

India News

Rahul Gandhi attacks Punjab AAP government over man’s death, alleges dangerous pattern

Rahul Gandhi accused Punjab’s AAP government of failing on the drug issue and demanded an independent probe into Gulzar Singh’s death.

Published

11 hours ago

on

September 9, 2026

By

Rahul_Gandhi_

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has launched a fresh attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab over the death by suicide of Gulzar Singh, a 50-year-old man from Sangrur district.

Gandhi alleged that Singh was pressured by police to apologise after questioning Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema over the state’s handling of the drug menace. Singh later consumed pesticide and died after being taken to different hospitals, according to Gandhi’s account.

What Rahul Gandhi said about Gulzar Singh

Rahul Gandhi described the incident as part of what he called a “dangerous pattern” emerging under the Punjab AAP government.

He alleged that people who question the government’s performance on issues such as drugs are facing threats and torture.

According to Gandhi, Gulzar Singh belonged to the Dalit community and had seen his son become a victim of drugs. He said Singh questioned the finance minister about the government’s failure to stop the drug trade.

Gandhi alleged that Singh was subsequently humiliated and pressured to apologise, following which he consumed poison. He also claimed that Singh struggled to receive treatment after being taken from one hospital to another before eventually dying.

Rahul Gandhi demands action against Punjab government

Gandhi also referred to the case of Mohanjeet Singh, whom he said he had spoken with the previous week.

According to Gandhi, Mohanjeet Singh was allegedly subjected to custodial torture after protesting against Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann by carrying a black flag at an event attended by the chief minister.

Gandhi said the government should respond to questions from citizens rather than suppress those raising concerns.

He called for Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to demand the resignation of Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema and sought an independent and impartial investigation into Gulzar Singh’s death. Gandhi also demanded that Cheema’s name be registered in the FIR. These are Gandhi’s demands and allegations; the NDTV report does not establish them as proven findings.

Drug de-addiction admissions rise in Punjab

The report also cited government data showing a significant increase in admissions at state-run de-addiction and rehabilitation centres.

Admissions rose from 9,577 in 2024 to 25,290 in 2025, an increase of more than 164 per cent. More than 14,000 people had already been admitted to such centres by July this year, according to the data cited in the report.

The Congress has said that people in Punjab will vote out the AAP in the state election, which is due in the coming months.

Continue Reading

Trending

© Copyright 2022 APNLIVE.com