Shobha Gupta’s relentless fight for justice brought Bilkis Bano’s convicts to justice. In a country where the wheels of justice often turn slowly, Gupta stood firm, unwavering in her belief in the Indian legal system’s dedication to justice. She provided pro bono legal services for Gujarat riot cases, including the landmark case of Bilkis. In 2019, the Supreme Court awarded Bilkis the highest-ever compensation in an Indian rape case.
India’s Supreme Court in January 2024 restored life prison sentences for 11 convicts who had raped Bilkis during the communal riots in Gujarat in 2002. The decision came after Bilkis and other petitioners challenged a decision by the Gujarat government to set the convicted rapists free. Bilkis’ fight for justice over more than two decades had become emblematic of the struggle of survivors of the 2002.
With a legal career spanning over 16 years as the standing counsel for the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Shobha Gupta’s activism extended far beyond the courtroom. She tirelessly championed various social causes, offering pro bono legal aid to many in need. Her commitment also extended to representing the NHRC in numerous cases, including those in the highest courts of India, addressing critical matters like private school issues and challenges to the Right to Education Act.
