SC tells Gujarat riots victim Bilkis Bano she can claim higher compensation from state govt

The Supreme Court told Gujarat riot victim Bilkis Bano on Monday that, if she wanted, she could seek higher compensation from the state government. 

The court also asked the Gujarat government for a detailed reply -- on what action has been taken against the Gujarat Police -- within four weeks. 

The Gujarat Police had refused to file an FIR when Bano -- she had been gang-raped, and 14 members of her family were killed -- approached them.  

Bano had finally had to approach the National Human Rights Commission and the Supreme



Court.

Bano and her family had been attempting to escape a mob on March 3, 2002. 

Bano was five months pregnant at the time, and had her two-year-old daughter with her.  

Bano was gang-raped and 14 members of her family killed -- including her mother and her daughter.  

Bano was 19 at the time. 

The Supreme Court had earlier ordered a CBI probe into the matter.

The case was shifted from Gujarat to Maharashtra because Bano and her family were receiving constant threats.