March 3, 2002
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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 |
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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 |