New Delhi, February 25
The CBI has indicted the Gujarat police for shoddy investigation in the Bilkis gang-rape case and murder of her several relatives and family members during post-Godhra riots and closing the probe, in its report placed before the Supreme Court.
A Bench, comprising Mr Justice S. Rajendra Babu and Mr Justice G.P. Mathur, which examined the report today, praised the CBI for the progress made by it unearthing the conspiracy to destroy the evidence and close the case in a short period. The CBI was granted three months more time by the Bench to complete the probe.
Bilkis Yakoob Rasool, the lone survivor among the eight women gang-raped by a mob that had also killed seven others near Limkheda village of Dahod district, had approached the apex court after the case was closed by the police.
Bilkis’ counsel Harish Salve, who was permitted to go through the report by the Bench, during a brief hearing brought to the court’s notice that the agency had expressed concern over the threat to her life and urged that she be provided security by Central force personnel.
“I complement the CBI for the work done by them. Security to Bilkis has to be arranged by some Central police,” Mr Salve said.
Quoting the relevant findings by the CBI in its interim report, Mr Salve said the agency, which had arrested some police personnel, was probing the role of some other police officials who had investigated the case. The agency said lapse on the part of the Gujarat police in investigating the case was evident and witnesses were apprehensive of coming forward to record the evidence due to threat to their lives.
