Bilkis Bano case: Eyewitness calls for harsh punishment for 11 convicts

Bilkis Bano/ File Photo

The only eyewitness in the Bilkis Bano case in Ahmedabad, who was only seven years old at the time of the horrific crime, is adamant that the culprits should either be hanged or sentenced to life in prison to bring about true justice.

The witness, who is now 28 years old and lives in Ahmedabad with his family, remembers clearly the horrific events of 2002 in Gujarat's Dahod district when a mob attacked his cousin Bilkis Bano and other members of the minority community, killing 14 people in the wake of the Godhra train burning riots.

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"I had endured the trauma of watching my loved ones being killed in front of my eyes. I still wake up in the night and scream as those moments haunt me even after all these years," he said.

Reflecting on the recent Supreme Court decision that overturned the Gujarat government's attempt to release 11 convicts serving life sentences for the gang rape of Bilkis Bano and the murder of 14 people, the eyewitness expressed relief, saying, "I felt very hurt when they were set free. I am somewhat relieved now because they will be sent behind bars once again. My mother and my elder sister were among the 14 who were killed that day in front of my eyes," he said and added, "All the convicts must be either hanged for or they must be kept behind bars for the remainder of their lives. Only then justice will be served. These men must never be set free again."

The survivor's narrative, which was vital in the legal processes, coincided with Bilkis Bano's testimony and helped identify four of the 11 accused during the 2005 hearing in a special CBI court in Mumbai. Despite the trauma, the witness continues to fight for punishment.

Following the February 27, 2002, Godhra train burning tragedy, rioting occurred throughout Gujarat. A social activist who took in the witness, said, "Bilkis Bano along with this boy (eyewitness) and his mother and elder sister were also in that group, which was attacked by a mob on March 3. Of those 17, the mob killed 14, including an infant, and then gang-raped Bilkis. They also tried to kill Bilkis and this boy but they survived. A 4-year-old boy also survived the attack after the mob left thinking everyone was dead."

He further told PTI, "Since he was the only eyewitness, he testified before a special CBI court in 2005 in Mumbai. His testimony proved crucial because it matched the sequence of events narrated by complainant Bilkis Bano. He also identified four of the 11 accused during the hearing."