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
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Punjab CM condemns attack on Sukhbir Badal, lauds cops for prompt action
Chandigarh (PTI): Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann strongly condemned the attack on Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal, who was fired at while performing 'sewa' outside the Golden Temple on Wednesday morning, and directed police to investigate the incident.
The chief minister also lauded the promptness of the Punjab Police in nabbing the attacker.
The man missed Badal as he was overpowered by police. The audacious attack was captured on cameras of media persons who had gathered outside the Sikh shrine to cover the second day of Badal's penance for "mistakes" committed by the SAD government in Punjab from 2007 to 2017.
"Punjab Police prevented a major incident from happening today. It is the result of the promptness of the Punjab Police that the conspiracy to defame Punjab and Punjabis has failed," Mann said in a post on X.
"The police achieved great success by arresting the assailant on the spot with their promptness... I strongly condemn the attack on Sukhbir Badal ji. I have issued strict instructions to the police to immediately investigate the incident and submit a report," he added.
Police identified the shooter as Narain Singh Chaura, a resident of Dera Baba Nanak. After the attack, he was whisked away by security officials.
Television footage showed the shooter slowly walking towards Badal, who was sitting in a wheelchair due to a fractured leg, and pulling out a gun from his pocket. A police official in plainclothes standing near Badal quickly intervened and grabbed the attacker's hands. In the melee, a bullet hit the wall behind Badal, who escaped unhurt.
