Honouring convicts in Bilkis Bano case after their release is wrong: Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis

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Speaking in the state Legislative Council on Tuesday, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said it was wrong to honour the convicts in the Bilkis Bano case who were recently released from prison.

The matter was raised by the Opposition during the hour-long discussion in the House on the issue of women’s safety in the light of several instances of sexual misconduct, including the recent rape of a girl in the state’s Bhandara by two men over three days.

While replying to queries that ranged from the sensitisation of the police to the Shakti Bill being brought at the earliest, Fadnavis said, “One of the members raised the Bilkis Bano case… There was no need to raise it here… The convicts served their sentence and were released as per Supreme Court order. However, be it any accused, honouring them on their release is wrong. A convict is a convict and they cannot be honoured.”