Dr. Ram Puniyani, who had received threats and verbal abuse over the phone from unidentified goons on the night of June 6, has now been granted 24 hour police protection.
Speaking to Sabrang India, Dr. Puniyani said, “I am relieved that the police have provided me and my family with round-the-clock protection. Police personnel will be deployed to protect us till the conclusion of the investigation.”
The arrangements were made following a meeting between Dr. Puniyani and DCP Sangramsinh Nishandar on Saturday evening. The investigations are being monitored by the DCP’s office.
Confirming the development, DCP Nishandar said, “We have provided him with police protection.”
Brief background of the case:
Dr. Puniyani, an eminent academician and rationalist, was accused of being anti-Hindu and threatened with dire consequences if he did not stop his activities, by the as yet unidentified caller. Following this he not only filed a police complaint, but also wrote to the Mumbai Police Commissioner. He also met with the Joint Commissioner with a delegation of civil society members.
CJP also intervened on his behalf and moved the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to provide him adequate protection and to ensure that the authorities take the matter very seriously given previous attacks on rationalists like Narendra Dabholkar, MM Kalburgi, Govind Pansare and Gauri Lankesh, allegedly by members of right-wing extremist groups.