March 3, 2002

 

 

Bilkis Rasool was gang-raped. 14 members of her family, including her 3 and half year old daughter, murdered. Several female members of her family also raped and murdered. Bilkis the only adult survivor and eyewitness to the horrific massacre.

March 4, 2002

Bilkis files first FIR in Limkheda police station. Names rapists but not included in FIR.

March 25, 2003

One year after incident “Summary A” report filed and accepted by Limkheda Judicial Magistrate effectively closing case. Inconsistencies cited as reason.

April 2003

Bilkis approaches National Human Rights Commission, which does not directly take up her case, but requests senior counsel Harish Salve to represent Bilkis in Supreme Court.

April 2003

Bilkis herself becomes a petitioner in Supreme court

Her main prayers are: quashing of Summary A order of Limkheda Magistrate; CBI enquiry and action against erring Gujarat police officers; compensation

September 25, 2003

Supreme Court asks Gujarat Government to stop State CID investigation. State CID had started harassing Bilkis and members of extended family.

December 18, 2003

Supreme court asks CBI to undertake investigation.

January 22, 2004

CBI arrests 12 accused.

February 11, 2004

CBI files interim report where several gross violations and complicity of Gujarat police highlighted.

March 2004

CBI arrests 2 police officers.

April 19,2004

CBI files charge sheet against 20 (including 6 police officers and two government doctors).

July 2004

Bilkis files additional petition requesting transfer of case outside Gujarat.

August 6, 2004

Supreme Court orders Bilkis case to be transferred to suitable court in Mumbai; appointment of Public Prosecutor to be done by the Central Govt.

September 2004

Special Court of Judge U.D. Salvi appointed to hear the matter

January 13, 2005

Charges framed against 19 of the 20 accused. (Trial of one Dr. Sangeeta Prasad separated as she is declared medically/mentally unfit for trial)

February 22, 2005

Bilkis’s examination-in-chief by Spl. Public Prosecutor, R.K. Shah continues. She identifies in court the 12 accused who raped her, killed her daughter, and raped and killed members of her family.

5 May 15,2005

BILKIS WAS CROSS EXAMINED FOR 20 DAYS. The cross examination concluded in May 2005

August 2006

Bilkis called again for cross examination

March2007

73 Witnesses of prosecution examined by the court.

April 2007

Examination of defence witnesses started

June 2007

Examination of defence witnesses concluded

August 2007

Arguments Started

December 2007

Arguments concluded

January 18,2008

Verdict declared by Sessions Court Mumbai-twelve held guilty under several Sections including Section 302, 376, 143 to 148. (1 person died during trial period due to health reasons) One policeman also convicted for lodging false FIR. Seven people acquitted-5 police officers and 2 doctors.

From 2009 to 2011

11 accused convicted file an appeal against conviction in Bombay High Court

 

 

CBI files appeal for enhancement of punishment of 3 main accused, and against acquittal of 7 persons, including police officers and government doctors in Bombay High Court

May 4, 2017

Verdict on both appeals delivered by Bombay High Court.

All 18 accused convicted (originally 20 were accused. One passed away during sessions court trial due to health reasons. One Policeman originally convicted and served sentence has also since passed away)

Convictions of 11 accused upheld.

Acquittals of 7 Police officers and doctors overturned – convicted of evidence tampering with intent to screen offenders and save them from punishment

 

 

 

By admin