Provide Rs. 50L compensation to rape victim Bilkis Bano: SC
What's the story
The Supreme Court directed the Gujarat government to pay compensation of Rs. 50 lakh to gangrape victim Bilkis Bano along with a government job and accommodation. Bano was gangraped during the 2002 Gujarat riots. In a plea, she sought exemplary compensation from the Gujarat government, refusing to accept its Rs. 5 lakh compensation offer. The SC termed the Rs. 5 lakh compensation as "interim".
Details
Bano has been living nomadic life since 2002: Lawyer
According to Bano's lawyer Shobha Gupta, the rape victim has no place to live and has been living a nomadic life since 2002 when she was gangraped. Therefore, Gupta said, Bano should be granted exemplary compensation. The SC, on 30 March, gave the Gujarat government two weeks' time to take disciplinary action against the police officials, including an IPS officer, convicted in the case.
Police officials
Government has not taken any action against police officials: Gupta
Gupta also said that the Gujarat government didn't take any action against the erring police officials convicted by the Bombay HC. She added that one IPS officer, who is currently posted in Gujarat, is even retiring this year while four other officials have already retired. However, no action like blocking their retirement benefits and pensions has been taken against them.
Proceedings
Police officials botched up investigation in the gangrape case: Gupta
Gupta also said that the erring police officials were convicted by the Bombay HC for botching up the investigation in the gangrape case. Meanwhile, senior advocate Tushar Mehta, representing the Gujarat government, stated that disciplinary proceedings are ongoing against these police officials. He said the proceedings will be completed soon. The SC, however, asked the government to complete the proceedings within two weeks.
Information
Bano was pregnant when she was gangraped
Bano was gangraped on 3 March 2002 in Gujarat's Randhikpur village; she was pregnant at the time. She was fleeing the violence in the aftermath of the Godhra train burning incident in the state. As many as 14 members of her family were killed.