Civil society condemns harassment of activist Nadeem Khan, demands action against Delhi Police
Bengaluru: Several civil society organisations have strongly condemned the alleged harassment of human rights activist Nadeem Khan, the National General Secretary of the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR), by the Delhi Police. They have described the filing of an FIR against him as malicious and part of a broader campaign to intimidate and silence dissenting voices.
On November 30, 2024, four police personnel, including the Station House Officer (SHO) of the Shaheen Bagh Police Station in Delhi, reportedly arrived at a private residence in Bengaluru where Nadeem Khan was staying. The police allegedly attempted to detain him without an arrest warrant or prior notice, violating established legal procedures. The FIR, filed earlier the same day in Delhi, cited offences under Sections 196, 353(2), and 61 of the BNS Act. These offences carry punishments of less than three years, which, according to the Supreme Court’s guidelines in Arnesh Kumar v. State of Bihar, do not warrant arrest. Despite this, the police reportedly pressured Khan for nearly six hours to accompany them to Delhi. It was only after hours of alleged intimidation that they issued a formal notice under Section 35(3) of the BNSS Act.
The police action is said to have caused significant distress to Khan and his family. Civil society groups have also accused the officers of trespassing on private property and intimidating Khan’s relatives. This incident follows another alleged raid on the APCR office in Delhi on November 29, 2024, where 20-25 police personnel reportedly arrived without prior notice, legal justification, or even an FIR copy. The groups argue that these actions demonstrate a targeted campaign against the APCR, which is known for addressing issues like mob lynching, hate crimes, and upholding constitutional values.
The FIR against Khan is believed to have been triggered by his involvement in an exhibition that highlighted incidents of hate crimes and hate speeches in India. The exhibition also showcased significant Supreme Court judgments, including Tehseen Poonawalla v. Union of India, which outlines measures to address mob violence. Civil society organisations view this FIR as part of a broader attempt by the Union Government to suppress dissent and penalize organisations critical of its policies.
The incident has also raised concerns about violations of India’s federal structure. Civil society organisations have criticized the Delhi Police for failing to coordinate with the Karnataka Police before acting in Bengaluru, a clear breach of the guidelines set by the Delhi High Court in Sandeep Kumar v. NCT of Delhi. These guidelines require cooperation with local police for interstate arrests. The groups pointed out that this is not an isolated incident, citing a 2020 case where the Delhi Police, under a BJP-led central government, arrested a Bengaluru resident without adhering to proper interstate protocols.
In a joint statement, organisations including Bahutva Karnataka, Campaign Against Hate Speech, Eddelu Karnataka, Jagruta Karnataka, Karnataka Janashakti, People’s Union for Civil Liberties-Karnataka, and Thamate, have demanded the immediate withdrawal of the FIR against Nadeem Khan. They also called for an end to the harassment of Khan and his family, compensation for the intimidation they faced, and action against the SHO of the Shaheen Bagh Police Station for alleged criminal intimidation, harassment, and trespassing. The Karnataka government has also been urged to act against the Delhi Police based on a complaint filed by Khan’s family.
Civil society groups have termed the harassment of Nadeem Khan as an attack on the fundamental rights of free speech, expression, and association. They have further argued that the actions of the Delhi Police represent a breach of India’s federal framework, highlighting the need for state governments and civil society to resist what they see as a growing threat to democratic and constitutional principles.
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Another North Goa nightclub sealed; Kejriwal says corruption led to fire tragedy
Panaji (PTI): As part of a crackdown against tourist establishments violating laws and safety norms in the aftermath of the Arpora fire tragedy, Goa authorities on Saturday sealed a renowned club at Vagator and revoked the fire department NOC of another club.
Cafe CO2 Goa, located on a cliff overlooking the Arabian Sea at Vagator beach in North Goa, was sealed. The move came two days after Goya Club, also in Vagator, was shut down for alleged violations of rules.
Elsewhere, campaigning for local body polls, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal said the fire incident at Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub at Arpora, which claimed 25 lives on December 6, happened because the BJP government in the state was corrupt.
An inspection of Cafe CO2 Goa by a state government-appointed team revealed that the establishment, with a seating capacity of 250, did not possess a no-objection certificate (NOC) of the Fire and Emergency Services Department. The club, which sits atop Ozrant Cliff, also did not have structural stability, the team found.
The Fire and Emergency Services on Saturday also revoked the NOC issued to Diaz Pool Club and Bar at Anjuna as the fire extinguishers installed in the establishment were found to be inadequate, said divisional fire officer Shripad Gawas.
A notice was issued to Nitin Wadhwa, the partner of the club, he said in the order.
Campaigning at Chimbel village near Panaji in support of his party's Zilla Panchayat election candidate, Aam Aadmi Party leader Kejriwal said the nightclub fire at Arpora happened because of the "corruption of the Pramod Sawant-led state government."
"Why this fire incident happened? I read in the newspapers that the nightclub had no occupancy certificate, no building licence, no excise licence, no construction licence or trade licence. The entire club was illegal but still it was going on," he said.
"How could it go on? Couldn't Pramod Sawant or anyone else see it? I was told that hafta (bribe) was being paid," the former Delhi chief minister said.
A person can not work without bribing officials in the coastal state, Kejriwal said, alleging that officers, MLAs and even ministers are accepting bribes.
