In view of the increasing incidents of ‘Love Jihad’ and ‘Conversion of Hindus’ in Maharashtra, the Hindu Rashtra-Jagruti (awareness) Andolan (agitation) was held outside the Macchimar Nagar, Mahim (w), Near Thane (w) railway station & Hutatma Kotwal Chowk at Pen to demand immediate enforcement of the anti-love jihad and anti-conversion act in the state.
After the agitation at Pen memorandum regarding this matter was given by representatives of Hindu organisations to MLA Ravisheth Patil.
In this protest, along with representatives of Ranragini Branch of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti Hindu Mahasabha, Shri Ram Pratishthan Hindusthan, Vande Mataram Pratishthan, Shri Ram Hindu Sangthan, Akhil Bharatiya Kori Samaj, Tarun Mitra Mandal (Mahim), Sahyadri Pratisthan Hindustan, Rashtriya Swayanswvak Sangh, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Sakal Hindu Samaj (Pen), Sanatan Sanstha and many devout Hindus participated.
On this occasion, devout Hindus who participated in the agitation held placards in their hands, and proclamations were also given. People’s signatures were also taken on the statement to be given to the government.
The problem of ‘Love Jihad’ is taking a serious form in Maharashtra day by day.
Through many means, Hindu girls are lured into the web of love by Muslims and get converted, and then ‘Nikah’ is done. In this, Hindu girls are terribly exploited.
Several serious cases of ‘Love Jihad’ have now come to light, including the gruesome murder of Shraddha Walker, a Hindu girl from Vasai, who was cut into 35 pieces by love jihadi Aftab and Rupali Chandanashive, a young woman living in Tilaknagar, Mumbai, who was killed by her husband Iqbal Mohammad Sheikh for refusing to wear a burqa. Nowadays many cases are happening like this and anger about this issue of ‘Love Jihad’ is now being expressed among the public.
Pro-Hindu organizations also demanded that the State Government should take initiative to prevent such incidents.
Freedom fighter Swatantrya Veer Savarkar had said, ‘religious conversion is very much akin to switching nationality.’ If we are to avoid further breaking up of our Nation, the implementation of the anti-conversion law is a must.
To do that, first and foremost we will have to pass a law. Hence, Maharashtra should immediately implement an anti-conversion law on the lines of States of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, etc.
No need to wait till 2025, Nitish Kumar should make Tejashwi Bihar CM now: Prashant Kishor 3
Political strategist Prashant Kishor, who has been an open critic of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for some time now, said on Saturday that the Janata Dal (United) leader should not wait till 2025 and make his deputy in the state cabinet, Tejashwi Yadav, the chief minister of Bihar. Kishor, who is leading his Jan Suraj Padyatra in Bihar, reached Sheohar on the 77th day of the march.
Speaking to media persons, Kishor said, “Nitish has announced to contest elections under Tejashwi’s leadership. He has accepted the fact that the election cannot be won on his face or by his party JD(U).” “There is no need to wait till 2025 to elect Tejashwi Yadav as CM. In their alliance, RJD has the biggest share. Nitish Kumar should make him CM. This will give Tejashwi a chance to work for three years and the public will have the opportunity to vote on the basis of his performance,” he added.
So far visiting two districts, Kishor said he found that more than 60 per cent of youth have migrated to other states for employment. Kishor’s remarks came after Chief Minister Nitish Kumar recently said that Tejashwi Yadav will lead the Mahagathbandhan in the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections.
“I am saying this from the beginning…He (Tejashwi Yadav) will definitely do it. You understand it right?” said Kumar in front of the media, on giving Tejashwi Yadav leadership for the 2025 Assembly elections in Bihar. Notably, Tejashwi Yadav is the younger son of Rashtriya Janata Dal’s (RJD) founding president Lalu Prasad.
Nitish Kumar had broken off ties with BJP in August this year and taken oath again as Bihar Chief Minister after rejoining hands with Rashtriya Janata Dal and other parties in the Mahagathbandhan. Kishor said some people think that Nitish Kumar is working towards a big alliance against the BJP at the Centre but “this is not very credible”. He said of the 17 years that Nitish Kumar has been chief minister, he has held the post with the support of the BJP for 14 years.
Both Nitish Kumar and Prashant Kishor have taken potshots at each other in the recent past. Kishor, who had joined the JD-U and was a national vice president, had been expelled by the party in January 2020 for “acting against the party’s decisions”. Kishor had earlier this month hit out at Nitish Kumar over his remarks that he was “working for the BJP” and said the Chief Minister had become “delusional”.
“He (Kumar) has been affected by his age and has turned delusional. He has been politically isolated as he is surrounded by people who he himself does not trust. And it is because of this nervousness he speaks rather than what he means,” Kishor had said.
A special court here on Saturday granted a 30-day extension to the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) to file a charge sheet in connection with the arrest of five members of the now-banned Popular Front of India for alleged unlawful activities and waging war against the country.
The five were among the 20 persons held from across the state by the ATS as part of nationwide multi-agency raids helmed by the National Investigation Agency in September this year.
The probe agency had approached the special court seeking an extension of 90 days to file the charge sheet claiming the investigation was still under progress. However, Judge AM Patil granted the probe agency 30 days to file the charge sheet.
Over 100 functionaries of the radical Islamic outfit PFI and its affiliate groups were held in raids across several states in September for allegedly indulging in unlawful activities, including waging war against the nation.
Subsequently, the Central government imposed a ban on the PFI.
Days after the successful trials of the nuclear-capable Agni-5 ballistic missile, India has now developed the capability to strike targets beyond the range of 7,000 kms.
Sources in the defence establishment told media that the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has been able to reduce the weight of the Agni-5 missile by replacing steel content with composite materials.
“The weight reduction that has been achieved in the missile system is beyond 20 per cent and if the government wants, the nuclear-capable strategic missile can go beyond 7,000 kms,” they said.
Sources cited the example of the Agni-3 which weighs around 40 tonnes and can strike targets at 3,000 kms but the Agni-4 weighing slightly more than 20 tonnes can cover a much longer range.
The extended range of the missile which is part of the Strategic Forces Command will give a variety of options to the planners during times of conflict. India’s nuclear weapon programme is mainly for deterrence against its adversaries including China and Pakistan as it has a no-first-use policy. It has been strengthening the second strike capability and is also working on the development of a submarine-launched ballistic missile.
The sources said the decision to test the missile for its new maximum possible range will have to be taken by the government.
India on Thursday had successfully carried out night trials of the Agni-5 nuclear-capable ballistic missile at its full range of 5400 kms. The test was carried out to validate new technologies and equipment on the missile which is now lighter than before.
In October last year, India carried out the successful launch of the surface-to-surface ballistic missile, Agni-5 from APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha. The missile, which uses a three-stage solid-fuelled engine, is capable of striking targets at ranges up to 5,000 kilometres with a very high degree of accuracy, the defence ministry said in a statement.
The successful test of Agni-5 is in line with India’s stated policy to have ‘credible minimum deterrence’ that underpins the commitment to ‘No First Use’, it had said.
In June 2018, India had first successfully flight-tested Agni 5 from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island (Wheeler Island).
Dy CM Fadnavis takes a dig at MVA morcha, saying "it was aimed at gaining political capital" 7
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday took a jibe at opposition Maha Vikas Agadhi’s (MVA) protest in Mumbai calling it a ”nano” morcha for gaining political capital.
In a show of strength, MVA constituents including Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP, Congress, and other parties took out a protest march against the Eknath Shinde-BJP government demanding the removal of state Governor B S Koshyari for passing ”insulting” remarks against iconic personalities, including Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Amid the row, Fadnavis said he has been repeatedly saying no one should speak against national icons and that those who do so are wrong.
”Despite making my stand clear, a morcha was organised for gaining political capital. When you run out of issues, such morchas are organised,” he told reporters and added Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and B R Ambedkar are our idols.
A political firestorm erupted after governor Koshyari had called Chhatrapati Shivaji an ”icon of olden times”.
Senior BJP leader and state minister Chandrakant Patil had kicked up a row by saying social reformers B R Ambedkar and Jyotiba Phule had ”begged” (sought donations) to start schools. Referring to a border dispute between Maharashtra and Karnataka, Fadnavis said it is not something new which cropped up after the formation of the Shinde-BJP government (in July this year). ”The Congress and the NCP (Nationalist Congress Party) are responsible for this problem. The issue is the creation of the Congress party,” he alleged. The border issue dates back to 1957 after the reorganisation of states on linguistic lines.
Responding to a query, Fadnavis said no one can take Mumbai away from Maharashtra.
”(Shiv Sena chief) Uddhav Thackeray should look for new issues to play politics,” he said.
Speaking about the MVA’s protest march, Fadnavis, who holds the Home portfolio, said the police had asked the MVA to use the Azad Maidan in south Mumbai for the rally but they didn’t follow the direction knowing that the ground couldn’t be filled.
”It was a nano morcha for political capital,” he said implying a poor turnout.
Targeting Rahul Gandhi over his purported remarks on Indian soldiers, Fadnavis said it is surprising that Pakistan and Rahul Gandhi speak against India on the same day. ”His (Rahul’s) remarks show the kind of sentiment he has for India,” Fadnavis added.
”Whenever China grabbed Indian territory, the Gandhi family was in power. Today, PM Modi is in power and not an inch of land will go to anybody else. Our Army faced the Chinese bravely,” he added.
In a show of strength, the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) constituents in Maharashtra took out a ‘Halla Bol’ protest march in Mumbai on Saturday against the Eknath Shinde-BJP government in the state, and emphatically demanded removal of Governor B S Koshyari for passing “insulting” remarks against iconic personalities, including Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Senior leaders of the three MVA allies – Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Congress – shared the stage after the protest march, where NCP chief Sharad Pawar said if the governor was not removed, a “lesson” would be taught, while Uddhav Thackeray warned that there can be no compromise on the state’s self-respect and pride. NCP leader Ajit Pawar demanded a strict law to ensure that the dignity of national icons is protected.
The protest march began near J J Hospital in Byculla around noon and ended at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), a distance of around 4 km, where the MVA leaders addressed a rally.
Speaking at an event last month, governor Koshyari had dubbed Shivaji Maharaj an “icon of olden times”. The remark sparked outrage from both the descendants of the Maratha king and the opposition parties.
Earlier this year, he had also passed alleged derogatory remarks against social reformers Mahatma Phule and Savitribai Phule.
Speaking at the ‘Halla Bol’ protest rally, Sharad Pawar said, “The governor should be immediately removed for insulting Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Mahatma Phule.” He also said that the ideologies of the three MVA partners may be different but there was a need to be together to protect Maharashtra’s self-respect.
”If the governor is not removed, we will have to take steps to teach them a lesson,” he added.
The former Union minister said competition was on, not for the state’s progress and development, but to malign it.
“Maharashtra cabinet minister Chandrakant Patil says B R Ambedkar, Mahatma Phule begged to start schools…Such an insult cannot be tolerated. We have to be united irrespective of our political ideologies to safeguard the state’s prestige. If the governor is not removed we have to take steps to decide our future action,” he said.
Former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray accused the Shinde government of being ideologically bankrupt. “One minister Chandrakant Patil says Phule and Ambedkar begged to collect funds to start schools, while another minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha likens Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s great escape from Agra to Eknath Shinde’s rebellion and backstabbing,” he said.
Shinde had led a rebellion against the Shiv Sena leadership in June this year, which led to the collapse of the Thackeray-led MVA government in the state.
”I don’t consider Koshyari as governor. The post of governor is a respectable one. I reiterate my demand that criteria be decided on the selection of a governor,” Thackeray said. There can be no compromise on the state’s self-respect and pride, Thackeray added.
On the ongoing Maharashtra-Karnataka border row, he said the unfulfilled dream of ‘Samyukta Maharashtra’ about the inclusion of Belagavi, Karwar, Nipani and other villages into Maharashtra has to be achieved.
Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly Ajit Pawar said the governor should be removed “to save Maharashtra”. He demanded that a strict law be enacted to protect the dignity of national icons.
On the border row, he said, “Never before villages from Maharashtra openly spoke about breaking away from the state. Why is this happening?” The former deputy chief minister stressed the need to stay united and said this protest march was the first step in that direction as the MVA’s aim was to protect the integrity of the state.
“Price rise, unemployment is on the rise and the government is turning a blind eye to these problems,” he charged. State Congress president Nana Patole said the march was a signal that the state was united.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said the governor had no right to stay in office even for a minute. “This march is a signal that governor Koshyari is dismissed. The Shinde government will not last till February 2023. The morcha is the first step to dislodge the Shinde led government,” he said.
A large number of workers of the MVA partners took part in the protest march. Uddhav Thackeray’s wife Rashmi Thackeray and younger son Tejas also joined the foot march.
The Samajwadi Party, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Peasants and Workers Party (PWP) and other parties also participated.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ridiculed Raut for his claim and said he had dislodged the MVA government right under the nose of its leaders. “What are you saying that our government will not last? It will and Shinde will remain the CM. We will fight the next elections together,” he said.
GST Council agrees to decriminalise certain offences, doubles limit for launching prosecution to Rs 2 cr 10
The GST Council on Saturday agreed to decriminalise certain offences and doubled the threshold for launching prosecution to Rs 2 crore, Revenue Secretary Sanjay Malhotra said.
The Council could decide on only 8 out of the 15 agenda items due to paucity of time, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, adding the items not considered included one pertaining to setting up of appellate tribunals for GST.
The issue of mechanisms to curb tax evasion in pan masala and gutkha businesses also could not be taken up.
No new taxes have been brought, Sitharaman said on the deliberations at the GST Council’s 48th meeting.
The Council, she said, has clarified what constitutes an SUV and attracts the tax applicable for such categories of automobiles.
Malhotra said GST on online gaming and casinos was not discussed as the report of a Group of Ministers (GoM), chaired by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, on the issue submitted its report only a couple of days back.
The report of the GoM was not even circulated to GST Council members, he added.
He further said the Council agreed to raise the threshold of launching prosecution to Rs 2 crore from the present Rs 1 crore.
Also, the GST on husk of pulses was reduced to nil from 5 per cent.
The GST Council is the highest decision-making body of the one-nation, one-tax Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime. It is headed by the Union Finance Minister and all states and UT are represented in the body.
Maharashtra is presenting a perfect example for political mess. The confusion and dithering are reflecting a political quagmire. What will bring peace to Maharashtra is still a million-dollar question. Right now it’s one attack versus another attack. The female politicians of each party are busy taking on each other. Shinde Sarkaar is not only aggressive but also unreasonable at times. Shiv Sena is practical in its approach. But Uddhav needs to understand that he needs to regain his lost glory by changing his approach. Devendra Fadnavis had his last laugh. Sharad Pawar is the main pillar of the MVA government and Maha Vikas Aghadi has the Sharad Pawar stamp all over it. The veteran has shown he’s among India’s most perceptive politicians.
The grand old man of Maharashtra politics has shown why he remains among the most astute and perceptive politicians India has seen, with a fascinating quality of being able to prevail over friends and foes alike, when he put together the MVA government despite the lack of interest shown by the Congress. Time and again Sharad Pawar has proven that he remains a strategist-politician to reckon with. Pawar is his more than five decades’ run in politics, witnessing a generous mix of ups and downs, which included breaking away from an established party such as the Congress to float his own regional outfit from scratch.
After the Shiv Sena split with the Eknath Shinde faction that joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and overthrew their government, this is the first time the MVA constituents—the Shiv Sena (UBT), Nationalist Congress Party, and Congress—have united in such a strong way. The rally will feature participation from important leaders from all three parties. The Pawar family was present at the MVA rally, including Sharad Pawar, his daughter Supriya Sule, his nephew, and Opposition Leader Ajit Pawar. to ensure that no untoward incident occurs, up to 2,500 police officers have been placed on duty in the streets, according to officials. To further uphold law and order, they added that 317 police officers, 1,870 constables, 22 platoons of the State Reserve Police Force, and at least 30 squads of Riot Control Police would be present.
Being in opposition MVA has given their best by cornering the government. Mumbai witnessed two protest marches– one by the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi’s (MVA) ‘Halla Bol’ protest against Eknath Shinde’s government and the other one is a counter-protest by the ruling ally Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). NCP leader and former Maharashtra Minister Jitendra Awhad have alleged the magnitude of hatred and revenge politics witnessed in the state is unprecedented. He was addressing an NCP rally evening in Thane. The protest has been organised against the Eknath Shinde-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the state over a number of issues, including the Maharashtra-Karnataka border dispute, projects from the state being moved elsewhere, and the “insult” of Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, social reformers Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule by Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari.
Meanwhile, BJP is holding “Maafi Mango ” protests in all six parliamentary districts of Mumbai in response to the MVA’s march, accusing Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut of stirring up a debate over Dr B. R. Ambedkar’s birthplace and party leader Sushma Andhare of demeaning Hindu deities and saints. While talking to the media, Pawar said, “Our protest rally on December 17 will focus on the Maharashtra-Karnataka border issue, the Governor’s and BJP leaders’ insults to Maharashtra’s icons, and other issues. It will be a peaceful and silent march. We have yet to obtain permission for it.” Additionally, he said that all like-minded parties have agreed on the agenda for the protest rally and would like to invite as many people as possible to join. By noon the crowd was swelling and the rally became massive. Looking at the present scenario we can see people of Maharashtra still love the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance. Let’s see what is written for the 2024 elections.
Opposition came together for MVA's protest rally except Prakash Ambedkar 14
The Maha Vikas Aghadi’s (MVA) ‘Halla Bol’ rally to raise issues crucial to Maharashtra, while BJP’s ‘Maafi Maango Andolan’ protest at Nariman Point, Ghatkopar, Kandivali, Andheri, Dadar; security heightened, traffic diversions in place in the city.
The protest was a great success as the crowd was swelling and people stood in solidarity with Maha Vikas Aghadi.
The MVA’s ‘Halla Bol’ morcha kicked off Saturday morning from Richardson and Cruddas near Byculla, moving towards Azad Maidan. Senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders, including Uddhav Thackeray, Aaditya Thackeray, NCP’s Ajit Pawar, Supriya Sule, Jayant Patil and Congress’s Bala Saheb Thorat, Prithviraj Chavan and Ashok Chavan were seen. Sharad Pawar is also likely to attend the march.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), meanwhile, will hold a string of protests named ‘Maafi Maango Andolan’ at Nariman Pt, Ghatkopar, Kandivali, Andheri, Dadar today. The party has raised objections to Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sushma Andhare’s statements mocking Hindu Gods and saints. The protest is also to highlight Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut’s misinformation about Dr B R Ambedkar’s birthplace.
NCP leader Ajit Pawar, while addressing the gathering, said “This morcha has been organised to show ‘Maharashtra drohi’ their place, who are present in Maharashtra now, insulting our historical leaders, insulting our state, its pride. This morcha is proof that Maharashtra will give apt replies to such people, and will not sit back during such insults. Looking at the enthusiasm of all who participated here today, the government will be shaken and have to acknowledge our demands.”
NCP supremo Shadar Pawar asserted that the Governor should be removed. Saying that the governor of Maharashtra has to be removed, Ajit Pawar said, “In 2.5 years we did not see instances where villages from Maharashtra demanded going to Karnataka, or Gujarat, or MP. Why has this happened now? Maharashtra will not tolerate this, that’s why the morcha has been organised. Since Shinde, Fadanvis government has come, our historical leaders are insulted, and villagers want to leave the state…”
Owing to the rallies, security has been heightened across the city, and traffic curbs are in place. Meanwhile, The Warkari community in Thane has called a bandh in Thane to protest against the statement of Sushma Andhare, deputy leader of the Thackeray group. Due to this bandh, bus services of the Thane Municipal Transport Service were suspended.
The foot march, which began from a company near J J Hospital at Byculla around noon, will conclude at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in south Mumbai. Leaders and workers of the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Congress had started gathering near the J J Hospital since morning. When the march started around noon, they were seen carrying banners, placards and images of Shivaji Maharaj and the Phule.
The Supreme Court has dismissed a plea filed by Bilkis Bano, seeking a review of its order passed in May by which it had asked the Gujarat government to consider a petition for the remission of the sentences of 11 convicts in the gang-rape case.
Bano was gang-raped and seven members of her family were killed during the 2002 Gujarat riots.
According to procedures, review pleas against apex court judgments are decided in chambers by circulation by the judges who were part of the judgment under review.
Bano’s review plea came up for in-chamber consideration on December 13 before a bench of justices Ajay Rastogi and Vikram Nath.
”I am directed to inform you that the review petition above mentioned filed in Supreme Court was dismissed by the court on December 13, 2022,” read a communication sent to Bano’s counsel Shobha Gupta by the apex court’s assistant registrar.
The gang rape survivor had sought a review of the top court’s May 13 order on a plea moved by one of the convicts.
The apex court had asked the state government to consider the plea for a premature release of the convict in terms of its policy of July 9, 1992, about taking a decision on a remission petition within a period of two months.
All 11 convicts were granted remission by the Gujarat government and released on August 15.
Gupta told PTI that the order on the review petition is yet to be uploaded on the Supreme Court’s website.
”The order has not been uploaded yet. After perusing the order, we will decide the future course of action,” she said on being asked about whether Bano would file a curative petition.
Bano was 21 years old and five months pregnant when she was gang-raped while fleeing the riots that broke out after the Godhra train burning incident. Her three-year-old daughter was among the seven family members killed.
The review plea had said Bano was not made a party to the petition filed by the convict, who along with others was released under the state’s remission policy, which is not in force.
”In view of the development that the policy dated July 9, 1992, stood cancelled vide circular dated May 8, 2003, of State of Gujarat, it was necessary to be examined whether still the policy dated July 9, 1992, would be the relevant policy for remission application of the convicts to be considered if at all the State of Gujarat is the appropriate government under section 432, CrPC,” the plea had said.
Apart from the review plea, Bano has also filed a separate petition in the top court, challenging the remission of the sentences of the 11 convicts by the state government, saying their premature release has ”shaken the conscience of the society”.
On December 13, Bano’s plea challenging the remission of the sentences of the 11 convicts came up for hearing before a bench of justices Ajay Rastogi and Bela M Trivedi.
Justice Trivedi recused herself from hearing the plea.
”List the matter before a bench in which one of us is not a member,” the bench had said, without specifying any reason for the recusal of Justice Trivedi.
In her petition against the grant of remission, Bano has said the state government passed a mechanical order, completely ignoring the requirement of law as laid down by the Supreme Court.
”The en-masse premature release of the convicts in the much talked about the case of Bilkis Bano has shaken the conscience of the society and resulted in a number of agitations across the country,” the plea says.
Referring to various Supreme Court verdicts, the petition says en-masse remissions are not permissible and, moreover, such a relief cannot be sought or granted as a matter of right, without examining the case of each convict individually on the basis of their peculiar facts and the role played by them in the crime.
”The present writ petition challenges the decision of the state/central government granting remission to all the 11 convicts and releasing them prematurely in one of the most gruesome crimes of extreme inhuman violence and brutality by a group of human beings upon another group of human beings, all helpless and innocent people — most of them were either women or minors — by chasing them for days together, persuaded by hate towards a particular community,” it said.
The apex court is already seized of the PILs filed by CPI(M) leader Subhashini Ali, journalist Revati Laul, former vice-chancellor of the Lucknow University Roop Rekha Verma and Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra against the release of the convicts.
The investigation in the case was handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the trial was transferred to a Maharashtra court by the Supreme Court.
A special CBI court in Mumbai had, on January 21, 2008, sentenced the 11 convicts to life imprisonment on the charges of gang rape of Bano and murder of the seven members of her family.
Their conviction was subsequently upheld by the Bombay High Court and the Supreme Court.
The 11 men convicted in the case walked out of the Godhra sub-jail on August 15 after the Gujarat government allowed their release under its remission policy. They had spent more than 15 years in jail.
