Bilkis Bano case: Supreme Court to hear tomorrow convicts' pleas on extending time to surrender

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday agreed to consider on January 19 pleas filed by three convicts in the Bilkis Bano case for extension of time to surrender after cancellation of their remission by the top court.

A bench led by Justice B V Nagarathna directed the SC registry to seek direction from the Chief Justice of India for setting up a bench also comprising Justice Ujjal Bhuyan for hearing the matter on Thursday.

The court passed its order as an advocate mentioned the applications filed by as many as three convicts for the extension of time.

The two weeks time granted by the top court earlier to 11 convicts to surrender is going to expire on January 21.

The counsel said other convicts would also file similar plea for extension of time during the course of the day.

Convict Ramesh Rupabhai Chandana sought extension by six weeks to take care of familial obligation. Convict Mitesh Chimanlal Bhat sought six weeks more time to harvest winter produce. Another convict sought six weeks additional time in order to take care of his old and ailing father.

On January 8, 2024, the Supreme Court had quashed the Gujarat government's decision of August 15, 2022 to grant remission to 11 convicts sentenced to life term for the gang-rape of Bilkis Bano and killing her family members during the 2002 Gujarat riots.

The top court had then directed the convicts to surrender within two weeks.