In the aftermath of the Bilkis Bano case convicts’ surrender as mandated by the Supreme Court, a noteworthy development unfolds in Dahod, Gujarat. Pertaining to the demise of his father-in-law, Pradip Modhiya, a convict from Dahod district, has been granted a five-day parole by the Gujarat High Court. This judicial decision marks his temporary release from the confines of Godhra district jail.
Last month, the Supreme Court nullified the sentence remission for all 11 convicts implicated in the 2002 post-Godhra riot case involving the gangrape of Gujarat woman Bilkis Bano and the murder of seven of her relatives. Visakha Jain, the Deputy Superintendent of Police in Dahod district, elucidated, “The Gujarat High Court, in response to the demise of Pradip Modhiya’s father-in-law, has sanctioned a five-day parole. This matter resides within the realm of the judiciary and correctional facilities, given their current judicial custody status.”
Emphasizing the lack of reporting obligations to the police for Modhiya, Jain added that Godhra district jail adhered to the High Court’s directive for his release on parole. Judge M R Mengdey exercised discretion in granting a five-day parole instead of the requested one month, considering the circumstances surrounding the demise of Modhiya’s father-in-law, as stated in his application before the HC.
In August 2022, the 11 convicts, serving life sentences, were prematurely released based on the Gujarat government’s acceptance of their remission applications, citing exemplary conduct during imprisonment according to the 1992 policy. Hailing from Singvad and Randhikpur villages under Singvad taluka of Dahod district, neighboring Panchmahal district, this controversial decision faced condemnation from the Supreme Court on January 8. The court criticized the state’s complicity with an accused and its abuse of discretion, ordering the convicts, released on Independence Day in 2022 after 14 years of imprisonment, to return to jail within two weeks.
Their surrender transpired on January 21 before the authorities at Godhra jail. The Supreme Court, in nullifying the remission, underscored the lack of jurisdiction on the part of the Gujarat government to grant premature release, citing that the trial in the 2002 case had taken place in Maharashtra.
