New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday expressed surprise over how a lawyer, who was one of the convicts in the Bilkis Bano gang-rape case, is still practicing law. The court was hearing a plea filed by Bilkis Bano, who was gang-raped and brutally assaulted by a mob of men in Gujarat during the 2002 communal riots.
The court observed that “law is supposed to be a noble profession” and that it is “unthinkable” that a lawyer, who has been convicted of such a heinous crime, can continue to practice law. The court also directed the Bar Council of India to take appropriate action against the lawyer.
The Bilkis Bano case is one of the most infamous cases of violence against women during the Gujarat riots. In March 2002, a mob of men attacked a group of Muslim women and children who were fleeing the violence. Bilkis Bano was one of the women who was gang-raped and brutally assaulted. She survived the attack, but she was left with serious injuries.
The Supreme Court’s observations are a welcome step. They send a strong message that lawyers who commit crimes will not be tolerated. The Bar Council of India must take swift action against the lawyer in question and ensure that he is disbarred.
The case also raises important questions about the role of lawyers in society. Lawyers are supposed to uphold the law and protect the rights of the people. However, in this case, a lawyer has been accused of committing a heinous crime. This raises questions about the integrity of the legal profession and the need for greater accountability among lawyers.
The Supreme Court’s observations are a reminder that the legal profession must be held to the highest standards. Lawyers must be seen as defenders of the law, not as perpetrators of crime. The Bar Council of India must take steps to ensure that lawyers who commit crimes are brought to justice and that the legal profession is not tarnished by the actions of a few.