Bilkis Bano Case | 2 Convicts Withdraw Plea As Gujarat HC Expresses Disinclination To Grant Parole For Navchandi/Vastu Puja

Two convicts in the Bilkis Bano gangrape case on Thursday withdrew their petitions, seeking parole for Navchandi and Vaastu puja before the Gujarat High Court as the single judge expressed his disinclination to allow the relief. 

When the matter came up for hearing before a bench of Justice Divyesh Joshi, the court orally remarked 'rejected' and that is when the counsel for the Convict brothers (Mitesh Bhatt and Shailesh Bhatt) sought permission to withdraw the petitions.

This is the first case where convicts in this matter have been denied the relief of Parole. This development took place days after two other convicts were granted parole by single Judges (Justice MR Mengdey and Justice Joshi) in two separate orders.

More details here: Bilkis Bano Case: Days After Surrender On Supreme Court Orders, Convict Granted 5-Day Parole Following Father-In-Law's Death

Bilkis Bano Case | Days After His Surrender, Gujarat HC Grants 10-Day Parole To A Convict To Attend Nephew's Wedding

The two convicts moved the HC weeks after a total of 11 convicts surrendered at the Godhra sub-jail on January 21 as mandated by the Supreme Court. 

Notably, In August 2022, the Gujarat government granted premature release to 11 convicts, including Chandana, citing their 'good conduct' during imprisonment. The 11 individuals who had surrendered are Radheshyam Shah, Jaswant Nai, Govind Nai, Kesar Vohania, Baka Vohania, Raju Soni, Pradipbhai Modiya, Shailesh Bhatt, Bipin Joshi, Mitesh Bhatt, and Pradip Modhiya.

However, on January 8, the Supreme Court overturned this decision, criticizing the State for being "complicit" and abusing its discretion. The apex court directed the convicts, released in 2022, to return to jail within two weeks. Subsequently, they surrendered to Godhra jail authorities on January 21.

Case Title: Bhatt Shaileshbhai Chimanbhai vs State of Gujarat

LL Citation: 2024 Livelaw (Guj) 21