Bilkis Bano Case: Does Remission Law Need A Relook?

The Supreme Court today cancelled the early release of the 11 men convicted of raping Bilkis Bano and killing her family during the 2002 Gujarat riots. The Gujarat government allowed early release of the convicts citing good behaviour. Today, the top court came down hard on the Gujarat government, saying they are not competent to release convicts in a case which was heard in Maharashtra, calling it a blatant abuse of power. More importantly, while reading out the order, Justice BV Nagarathna said that "a woman deserves respect, no matter what strata of society she belongs to". We discuss, what impact does early release of rapists have on women survivors. Does the remission law need a relook?