NHRC extends legal aid to a rape victim in Gujarat riots
The Commission has extended legal assistance to a victim of alleged mass rape at Limkheida in Dahod District, Gujarat during the post Godhra communal disturbances. Bilkis Yakub Rasul, had met a team headed by the then Chairperson, Justice J.S. Verma, in a relief camp in Godhra during the course of their visit to Gujarat from 19-22 March 2002.
On 29 April 2003, Bilkis approached the Commission again, addressing a petition to it, in which she recounted the circumstances of her ordeal, and stated that she had "recently come to know that the police had told the court that the real accused persons could not be traced and that is why the case cannot go ahead." She added, "I have further come to learn that the Court had approved the stand of the police. All this was done without informing me of the developments at any stage. The police have not arrested the culprits although I have very clearly given their names with particulars in my complaint." In her petition to the Commission, Bilkis requested the Commission to take up her case so that justice may be done, and she be provided with adequate security as she feared a threat to her life.
Pursuant to this petition, Shri P.G.J. Nampoothiri, Special Rapporteur of the Commission in Gujarat informed the Commission that Bilkis wished to pursue the legal remedies in her case and wanted to file a case in the Supreme Court of India. It was further reported by him that she did not have the means to pursue the legal remedies and that she sought the help of the Commission to provide her legal assistance for pursuing her case in the Supreme Court. The Commission has decided to assist the applicant Ms. Bilkis Yakub Rasul to pursue legal remedies in her case. The Commission also indicated that it could offer financial assistance for pursuing legal remedies to Ms. Bilkis. Consequently, the Commission secured legal assistance to the victim through Shri Harish Salve, Senior Advocate, and Shri Ashok Arora, Advocate.
A Writ Petition was filed by Bilkis Yakub Rasul in the Supreme Court. By its Order of 8 September 2003, the Supreme Court admitted the petition, issuing notice to the Gujarat Government and the Dahod Police administration.
On 29 April 2003, Bilkis approached the Commission again, addressing a petition to it, in which she recounted the circumstances of her ordeal, and stated that she had "recently come to know that the police had told the court that the real accused persons could not be traced and that is why the case cannot go ahead." She added, "I have further come to learn that the Court had approved the stand of the police. All this was done without informing me of the developments at any stage. The police have not arrested the culprits although I have very clearly given their names with particulars in my complaint." In her petition to the Commission, Bilkis requested the Commission to take up her case so that justice may be done, and she be provided with adequate security as she feared a threat to her life.
Pursuant to this petition, Shri P.G.J. Nampoothiri, Special Rapporteur of the Commission in Gujarat informed the Commission that Bilkis wished to pursue the legal remedies in her case and wanted to file a case in the Supreme Court of India. It was further reported by him that she did not have the means to pursue the legal remedies and that she sought the help of the Commission to provide her legal assistance for pursuing her case in the Supreme Court. The Commission has decided to assist the applicant Ms. Bilkis Yakub Rasul to pursue legal remedies in her case. The Commission also indicated that it could offer financial assistance for pursuing legal remedies to Ms. Bilkis. Consequently, the Commission secured legal assistance to the victim through Shri Harish Salve, Senior Advocate, and Shri Ashok Arora, Advocate.
A Writ Petition was filed by Bilkis Yakub Rasul in the Supreme Court. By its Order of 8 September 2003, the Supreme Court admitted the petition, issuing notice to the Gujarat Government and the Dahod Police administration.