PUCL condemns ‘harassment’, ‘malicious FIR’ against human rights activist Nadeem Khan
Bengaluru: The People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) has condemned the targeted harassment of human rights activist Nadeem Khan, the National General Secretary of the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR), following a "malicious FIR" filed by the Delhi Police. In a statement, PUCL expressed concern over the police's attempts to detain Khan in Bengaluru without any legal warrant or due process.
“PUCL is shocked at the manner in which Delhi Police is conducting a targeted witch-hunt and harassment of human rights activist Nadeem Khan, at the instigation of a few social media accounts on Twitter,” the organisation said. At approximately 5 PM on 30th November 2024, four police personnel, including the Station House Officer (SHO) of Shaheen Bagh Police Station, arrived at a private residence in Bengaluru where Khan was staying. The police attempted to detain Khan “without any warrant or notice.” The officers, who arrived in a "hot haste" without issuing a notice under Section 35(3) or having any authority to arrest, coerced Khan into accompanying them "voluntarily" for an investigation related to an FIR filed earlier that afternoon in Delhi (FIR No. 0280/2024, Shaheen Bagh Police Station).
PUCL further explained, “From 5pm till 9pm, they sat in the hall of the first floor of the house and coerced Nadeem to come to Delhi 'voluntarily' with them under 'informal custody'. It wasn’t until 10:45 PM, after 5.45 hours of badgering Nadeem, that the officials pasted a notice under Section 35(3) of BNSS, asking him to appear at the Shaheen Bagh Police Station.” Despite the minor charges listed in the FIR, including Section 196, 353(2), and 61 (punishable by less than three years), PUCL noted that the law prohibits an arrest under such circumstances, citing the Arnesh Kumar v. State of Bihar judgment. Despite this, the police persisted with their harassment and intimidation.
PUCL also described the events surrounding the APCR office on 29th November 2024, when 20-25 police officers arrived without providing any legal justification or FIR copy. “The fact that 20 police officials came to the APCR office even before the FIR shows their malicious intent,” PUCL stated. The organisation further condemned the police’s actions and their disregard for due process, calling this a clear attempt to criminalise the exercise of free speech and the advocacy of civil liberties and constitutional rights.
PUCL has demanded that the FIR against Khan be immediately quashed, that the harassment of his family cease, and that compensation be provided for the undue distress. The PUCL also called for an FIR to be filed against the SHO of Shaheen Bagh Police Station for criminal intimidation, trespassing, and harassment.
PUCL Condemns Harassment of and Malicious FIR against human rights activist Nadeem Khan of the APCR by Delhi Police.
— Kavita Srivastava (@kavisriv) November 30, 2024
Demands FIR quashing, Compensation, FIR against the SHO of Shaheen Bagh Police station for criminal intimidation, harassment, trespassing be lodged. pic.twitter.com/zVnJDL2p5O
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Patna-bound IndiGo flight makes emergency landing at Lucknow due to bad weather
Lucknow (PTI): Adverse weather forced an IndiGo Kolkata-Patna flight to make an emergency landing at Lucknow airport on Friday, airport sources said.
According to airport officials, weather conditions in Patna deteriorated suddenly on Friday afternoon, affecting flight operations.
IndiGo flight 6E 6917 from Kolkata, which was scheduled to land in Patna at 3.50 pm, could not land due to bad weather and kept circling in the air after failing to get clearance from air traffic control, they said.
The flight was later diverted to Lucknow and landed safely at the Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport at around 5.15 pm. There were 180 passengers and six crew members on board, officials said.
The aircraft was later allowed to depart for Patna after weather conditions improved.
