Bilkis by example

When the quantum of punishment is announced today in a special court in Mumbai, the Bilkis Bano case will reach a just closure. This is a rare moment. The gangrape of the pregnant Bilkis Bano as she fled her riot-torn village in March 2002 and the murder of her baby daughter along with other relatives had become a symbol in at least two ways 8212; of the brutal nature of the crimes committed in the days following the gruesome torching of Sabarmati Express at Godhra; and of the deliberate obstruction of justice by agencies of the state in its aftermath, especially the Gujarat police. That this case has finally reached a conclusion and 12 accused have been convicted, including a police officer, raises a larger hope: surely, justice in other cases of Gujarat 2002 cannot be far behind.

The fact that justice has been done in this case is not just a testament to the terrific courage and unwavering resolve of Bilkis Bano. In different ways, the system rose to the challenge. Confronted with evidence that a free and fair trial would not be possible in Gujarat, due to intimidation of victims for instance, the Supreme Court of India shifted the trial to Mumbai in August 2004 8212; the second case to be transferred to Maharashtra. In turn, the CBI, called in to take over investigations in 2003 following Bano8217;s petition in the SC, has shown a marvelous tenacity in a case in which it had to literally unearth justice. Its investigations led it to exhume bodies from riverine graves in Dahod 8212; the heads had been removed so that the victims could not be identified. At every step, it had to contend with the clear complicity of the local police in tampering with the evidence and case records.

Yet even in this heartening moment, it is necessary to point out that so much more needs to be done. One, the onus is on the Modi administration to reassure Muslim families in Randhikpur and Devgadh Baria 8212; most of the convicted belong to Randhikpur, and Bano and many riot victims live in a colony in Devgadh Baria 8212; that the state will not allow any disruption of peace in the verdict8217;s aftermath. Two, while the verdict in Mumbai is welcome, the question will not go away: when will it be possible to ensure that Gujarat is also a safe place for justice for the victims of 2002?