Gujarat riots victim told to take grievances to govt

Last year the top court had ordered the state of Gujarat to give riots survivor Bilkis Bano Rs 50 lakhs, a job and an accommodation of choice.

New Delhi: The Supreme court has directed 2002 Gujarat riots victim, Bilkis Bano to approach the concerned authorities with her grievances regarding job and accommodation to be provided by the state government. The Apex court moved to dispose of her plea.

"Ms Shobha Gupta, learned counsel for the applicant seeks leave of this court to withdraw the Interlocutory application with liberty to make a representation before the concerned authorities. The interlocutory application is dismissed as withdrawn with liberty as prayed for. The matter is disposed of accordingly," read the court's order.

Last year the top court had ordered the state of Gujarat to give Bano Rs 50 lakhs, a job and an accommodation of choice.

Later on, when the matter came up, the state government informed the SC that it has complied with the order by giving Bano rupees 50 lakhs, and a job. However, Bano said that she is dissatisfied as the state government has done only lip service with regard to SC's orders. She informed the court that instead of proper accommodation, she has just been given 50 square meters of land and provided with a peon job on a contract basis.

Bilkis Bano was gang-raped when she was 5 months pregnant during the 2002 Godhra riots. Her family was also attacked in a village near Ahmedabad.

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