Will decide...
questioned Justice KM Joseph, who was part of the two-judge bench.
The special bench was set up to hear a bunch of petitions challenging the Gujarat government's move to release the 11 men on Independence Day last year. The men were convicted in 2008 for the gangrape of Bilkis Bano and the murder of her family during the 2002 riots in Gujarat.
During the hearing, the question of jurisdiction came up with advocate Shobha Gupta, who is representing Bilkis Bano, submitting that the state (Maharashtra), where the trial was held should decide on the remission of the convicts, and not the state where offence was committed.
Senior advocate Vrinda Grover -- who was representing CPM Politburo member Subhasini Ali, journalist Revati Laul, and former vice-chancellor of the Lucknow University Roop Rekha Verma -- pointed out that both CBI and the presiding judge of the trial court were against the remission. The Centre argued that the convicts have already served more than 15 years, whereas life term convicts are released after 14 years. When the convicts' counsel Rishi Malhotra argued that an "emotional plea is not a legal plea," Justice Joseph said, "We are not going to be overwhelmed by emotions…We will decide on the basis of law, not emotions…we have to strike balance… It is a horrendous crime".
Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal added, "This court has to now lay down the broad contours of granting remission. This is not an ordinary case...matter
was transferred from Gujarat to Maharashtra as there was no confidence in Gujarat...and now same State is deciding remission. What is this?"
In the plea, Bilkis Bano said: "The premature release of all the convicts came as a shock not only to the petitioner, to her grown up daughters, to her family, but also to the society at large, nationally and internationally."
Terming the release order as mechanical, the plea contended that it had shaken the conscience of the society and resulted in several agitations across the country.
Israel grinds to halt
Tens of thousands of Israelis have poured into the streets of cities across the country in a spontaneous outburst of anger after Netanyahu abruptly fired his Defense Minister for challenging his judicial overhaul plan. Protesters in Tel Aviv blocked a main highway and lit large bonfires, while police scuffled with protesters who gathered outside Netanyahu's private home in Jerusalem.
The crisis, one of the gravest in Israeli political history, was set off by the government’s attempt to give itself greater control over the selection of Supreme Court justices and to limit the court’s authority over Parliament. Critics fear the changes will remove important checks and balances on the government and erode democracy, reports New York Times.
President Isaac Herzog on Monday appealed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to immediately halt his controversial judicial overhaul, warning that the move has put the country's security, economy and society under threat. The president also called on the
government to put aside political considerations for the sake of the nation. The protests have alarmed business leaders, former security chiefs and drawn concern from Israel’s close allies, including the US. The country is also witnessing economic disruption with talk of "flight of capital" and hitech leaders and firms.
Homeless, now!
"Every MP is given an extension, especially those who are close to the ruling dispensation... it could be three months, four or even six,’’ a source pointed out, underscoring that he would not like to "name names".
As a recipient of "Z-Plus" security, too, Gandhi is entitled to accommodation provided by the government. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had to vacate her official Lodhi Estate bungalow in July 2020 as she was no longer eligible for it after her security cover was downgraded.
"This was expected of the BJP because the BJP is out on a witch hunt," said Congress MP and its national spokesperson Dr Naseer Hussain. "They use all kinds of tactics to silence voices of dissent. They have thrown one of our important leaders out of Parliament by devious means and this is nothing new," he told NDTV.
To Congress accusation of “vindictiveness”, BJP responded with the charge of "melodrama". "You know the lines of propriety, what is acceptable in the political system, the legal system. He (Rahul Gandhi) has been convicted by a court. Then, there are automatic procedures,” Union minister Hardeep Puri said, alluding to Gandhi's disqualification. Gandhi has time till April 23 to pack suitcases and vacate the bungalow.