The People’s Union for Democratic Rights (PUDR) has released a fact-finding report on the State’s role following last year’s communal clashes in Haryana’s Nuh during the Brij Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra. The report demands an independent investigation into alleged “police excesses” and the removal of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) charges against the accused.
The 55-page document, titled “In the Wake of Nuh: A Report on State Repression,” highlights severe actions taken by the State, including targeting Muslim youth and destroying properties, which exacerbated societal and official communalization. Out of 441 arrests made, only 13 were Hindus, with the rest being Muslims. The report noted discrepancies in bail orders, citing that 91% lacked corroborating evidence.
Justice Madan B. Lokur, a retired Supreme Court judge, emphasized the need for police accountability and reasonable bail conditions. He underscored that sometimes arrests are made without evidence, aiming to punish through the legal process itself. Manoranjan Mohanty, a retired University of Delhi professor, described the report as documenting a new phase of “communal State repression.”
Lawyer Nitika Khaitan from the PUDR fact-finding team pointed out that Sections 10 and 11 of the UAPA had been invoked improperly in four FIRs, with no evidence of any links to an “unlawful” association. The report also highlights cases like Congress MLA Mamman Khan’s, where the court found insufficient material evidence, and an orthopedically disabled individual involved in multiple FIRs unjustly.
The report alleges that many arrested individuals faced communal abuse, torture, and extortion from police intending to fabricate evidence. It notably refers to extensive demolitions carried out post-violence.
This comprehensive report sheds light on significant issues of state conduct and communal biases, calling for urgent judicial intervention to ensure fair treatment and accountability.
Original Story https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/nuh-violence-cases-pudr-seeks-probe-into-police-excesses/article68461642.ece
Category : Delhi
Tags:
