Bilkis Bano gangrape case: Women activists urge SC for better compensation

Kolkata/Mumbai (West Bengal/Maharashtra) October 24(ANI): Women Activists on Monday applauded the decision of Supreme Court in connection with Bilkis Bano gangrape case.

Speaking to ANI, Women activist Ruby Mukherjee said, "Supreme court now wants to know whether she has got relief and justice. Moreover, Supreme Court must give her a lump sum compensation because all of her family people died after the Godhra incident and she was being raped."

The Supreme Court sought a detailed reply from the Gujarat Government within four weeks in connection with the case.

"The Supreme Court has asked Gujarat government what departmental action was taken against the policemen, who were on duty but did not stop the crime from happening and did not come forward to protect Bilkis Bano.

They may not have been tried under Indian Penal code but department action was nonetheless required to be taken for dereliction of duty," said another activist Abha Singh.

The apex court also directed the state government to apprise it about the departmental action taken against the policemen found guilty of negligence of duty.

In March 2002, Bilkis Bano was gang raped and left for dead alongside 14 members of her family, including her 3-year-old daughter, during the Gujarat riots.

She was then five months pregnant, when rioters attacked her in Vadodara. (ANI)