Congress hits out at centre, says 'premature release a stain'

Congress said the "premature" release of the convicts in the Bilkis Bano case "is a stain" on the central government that can never be washed off.

AICC spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said the Modi government that had "maintained a studied and deliberate silence" at the time of the release of the convicts, was finally "constrained by the orders of the Supreme Court" to reveal that not only was the Ministry of Home Affairs aware of the release, but that it actually supported it, in defiance of the objections by senior officials of the CBI and a special judge.

Maintaining that the Centre's action was politically motivated and recalling how the released convicts had been felicitated by members of organisations close to the ruling party, the lawyer-parliamentarian on Tuesday asked: "Why has the Modi government, despite the objections of senior officials, sought to grant preferential treatment to individuals convicted of so reprehensible, horrific and heinous a crime? Has the Modi government decided to pardon all convicted rapists and child murders who have served a certain period? With what face will the Modi government now oppose demands for parole which cite this precedent?"


Congress leader Rahul Gandhi targeted the PM through a tweet, saying: "He talks about women's respect from Red Fort, but in reality he is with the rapists. The differences between the Prime Minister's promises and intentions are clear. He has only cheated women."

Former law minister and independent MP Kapil Sibal asked a question to the incoming Chief Justice of India. "DY Chandrachud, next CJI, Not surprised any more at what this government does: Granting remission to rapists-murderers. Not surprised any more by what the court does: Stays acquittal in a special hearing on a Saturday. Will there be a new dawn when Chandrachud J takes over," Sibal asked in a tweet.