All Accused in Bilkis Bano Case, Including Police Officers Finally Convicted
BOMBAY HIGH COURT REJECTS APPEALS OF THE 11 CONVICTED ACCUSED, UPHOLDS LIFE IMPRISONMENT
Sets Aside Acquittals of 7 Gujarat Cops & Doctors Convicts them of Evidence Tampering & Cover Up
Mumbai, May 4, 2017
Through all of you, friends in the media, I wish to say to all my fellow Indian citizens, my fellow Gujaratis, my fellow Muslims, and to women everywhere – I am grateful that this verdict delivered by the Honorable Judges, has, yet again, vindicated my truth, and upheld my faith in the judiciary.
My rights, as a human being, as a citizen, woman, and mother were violated in the most brutal manner, but I have trusted in the democratic institutions of our country. Now, my family and I feel we can begin to lead our lives again, free of fear.
I am happy that the State and its officials who emboldened, encouraged, and protected the criminals who destroyed the life of an entire community, are no longer unblemished, but today stand convicted of tampering with evidence and cover up. For officers of the state, whose sworn duty it is to protect citizens and enable justice, this should be their great moral shame, to bear forever.
To fellow Indians, I appeal to all of you, at a time when we hear news everyday of people being attacked and killed because of their religion or community – please help affirm their faith in the secular values of our country and support their struggles for justice, equality, and dignity. For this verdict does not mean the end of hatred but it does mean that somewhere, somehow justice can prevail. This has been an long, seemingly never ending struggle for me, but when you are on the side of truth, you will be heard, and justice will be yours in the end.
The close friends, who have stood with me through it all, know how much me, my husband Yakub and my family owe to them for their instinting support and love throughout this battle. For journeys like mine cannot be made alone. I am deeply grateful both to the CBI and to my lawyer who represented me during this appeal process in the Honorable Bombay High Court.
KAFILA - COLLECTIVE EXPLORATIONS SINCE 2006 
Finally, she has received the she longed for. This is a rare verdict in the right direction. One wishes more such verdicts from the court of law so that many people who are on the verge of disappointment with legal sysem may change their views and start believing in the system. Hopefully all rape victims, those affected by attacks from vigilantes and fanatics would get justice at the earliest and the accused would be punished
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Congratulations to CBI for NOT having acted here as a certain green bird with limited freedoms.
Also it is a rare day when several violators of women are facing up to their crimes. Just like Bilkis and her family, Badrinath Singh and Asha Devi have faced a great deal of pain. Full justice will never be possible, however they have now (in their stated opinion) received a small token of satisfaction, which has been denied to so many other victims and their families.
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