Wanted justice, not revenge: Bilkis Bano

Fifteen years after witnessing nearly her entire family being wiped out in front of her own eyes including her three-and-a half year-old daughter and after being gang-raped, Gujarat gang-rape survivor Bilkis Bano is finally preparing for a new beginning. Bano is also hoping to stand on her own feet and is looking forward to her eldest daughter becoming a lawyer. 

Bano was in Delhi on Monday along with her husband Yakub and youngest daughter,  to address a press conference in which she said she was happy and relieved with Bombay High court’s verdict. Bano also refused to compare her case with the Nirbhaya case “I wanted justice and not revenge,” Bano said. She, however, added that it should not have taken this long for her to receive justice. 

Bano told DNA that the family has lived in fear for long and now wants to lead a peaceful life.

The couple, however, appealed that in order to live without any fear, it was necessary that the convicts are not granted parole. “After the trial court’s sentencing in 2008, several of the convicts came out of jail on parole. We used to live in constant fear of retribution, threats and fear of being killed,” said Yakub.  

The couple further said they were expecting some compensation from the government but they have not got anything yet.