A Muslim woman resident of Uttar Pradesh has reportedly claimed that her family has been histile towards her as she had voted for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), in the recent Assembly elections. The woman, identified as Uzma in a report by the Hindustan, has claimed that her angry in-laws beat her and threw her out of the house.

She added that she was also threatened with divorced accused her in-laws of also threatening to kill her brother if he complained to the police. 

Uzma, identified in the report as the daughter of Tahir Ansari, resident of Ejaz Nagar Gautia, was married in January 2021 to one Taslim Ansari. The couple is from the same area and reportedly had a love marriage.

After she cast her vote recently, Uzma reportedly told her in-laws that she had voted for the BJP. According to the news report, the family, especially her brother-in-law Arif and uncle were enraged, and allegedly assaulted her. They also allegedly threatened her that her husband will “divorce her”. According to the news report, her father Tahir Ansari is a labourer and after his “daughter was kicked out of the house by her in-laws” has sought help from the police. 

Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi, National General Secretary of Tanzeem Ulama-e-Islam told the media that voting is a constitutional right and a person can vote for a candidate of their own choice. He added that if the woman’s in-laws or husband are threatening to divorce her because she voted for BJP, then they were guilty in the eyes of the Islamic laws as well.

Related:

Uttar Pradesh: Dargah desecrated on the eve of Holi, Shab-e-Barat in Fatehpur
Uttar Pradesh: Doctor Kafeel Khan will contest MLC elections on April 9
UP: Dadri Muslims disconnected from the city for three months!
Is Bennett University violating students’ right to protest?
Assembly Election Results 2022 Whither Pluralism: Democracy?

The post Post Poll Watch: Muslim woman allegedly threatened with triple-talaq after voting for BJP appeared first on SabrangIndia.

In the ongoing trial of alleged gang rape and murder of a 19-year-old Dalit girl in Hathras last year in September, the Allahabad High Court has taken cognisance of the alleged threat to the family of the victim and their lawyers.

After the alleged gang rape, the girld had succumbed to her injuries on September 29 at Safdarjung Hospital, Delhi and was allegedly cremated in the middle of the night without her family’s consent.

Subsequently, on October 1, the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court took suo motu cognisance over the gang rape and post-midnight cremation stating, “The incidents which took place after the death of the victim on 29.09.2020 leading up to her cremation, as alleged, have shocked our conscience, therefore, we are taking suo moto cognisance of the same.”

Threat to the victim’s family and lawyers

Recently, an affidavit has been filed by the victim’s brother in the High Court in connection with an unfortunate incident on March 5 when the prosecution witnesses presented themselves before the Special Court at Hathras where the trial against the crime is pending. The witnesses who were accompanied by their counsels, Sharad Bhatnagar and Seema Kushwaha, had appeared before the Presiding Officer, Special Court (SC/ST Act), Hathras.

Thereafter, an advocate named Tarun Hari Sharma, stormed into the court room and charged towards the victim’s family and their lawyers, “shouting and issuing threats”. Amongst the barrage of threats extended to them, the trial was interrupted and the family’s counsel Seema could not represent them.

The High Court further recorded that the affidavit stated that when Tarun Sharma aggressively approached them, it was evident that he was under the influence of alcohol. At the same time, a large mob, including lawyers, entered the courtroom and surrounded the applicant and the complainant’s counsel in order to threaten and intimidate them.

In these circumstances, the High Court Bench of Justices Rajan Roy and Jaspreet Singh noted that the Presiding Judge was forced to stop the trial proceedings on March 5. On being ordered to leave the courtroom, Tarun Sharma again threatened the applicant and his counsel!

The affidavit also states that on account of this ruckus created by Advocate Tarun Sharma and the mob, the witnesses could not properly depose on account of fear for their lives and security, and that there was a clear attempt to hinder the trial.

The havoc did not end here as when the proceedings resumed, another Advocate namely Hari Sharma who, as alleged, is the father of Advocate Tarun Hari Sharma, entered the courtroom and started threatening the complainant’s counsel. In these circumstances, the Presiding Officer was forced to stop the proceedings again.

The Presiding Judge observed the real and grave threat to the counsel and the applicant and “ordered the police personnel present in the courtroom to provide her (Seema Kushwaha) security cover within the court premises. The Court also ordered the S.H.O. of P.S. Kotwali to provide safe and secure passage to the complainant counsel, Advocate Seema Kushwaha, and to drop her at the Hathras border. It is only then that the counsel was able to leave Hathras district court premises and thereafter she has been unable to appear before the concerned court due to the risk to her safety and security.”

Yesterday, Sharad Bhatnagar, another lawyer representing the victim’s family, informed the High Court Bench that the trial was fixed before the Special Court at Hathras on March 19.  However, the counsel for the victim and the victim’s brother could not appear before the Special Court, anticipating the threat.

Senior Advocate SV Raju, appearing for the State submitted that if the facts as alleged are correct then it is a “serious matter” of which cognisance should be taken by the High Court and every effort should be made to ensure fair trial as also security to the victim’s family and the witnesses. He also submitted that he had no objection if a report is called for from the Presiding Judge and also if the trial is stayed in the interim.

The Amicus Curiae appointed by the court, Sri Jaideep Narayan Mathur, also emphasised the necessity of ensuring free trial in the matter, given the circumstances of the alleged gang rape and murder of a young Dalit girl and also, the incident which is alleged to have occurred on March 5.

CBI’s counsel has informed the court that it intends to file an application for transfer of the trial from District Hathras, elsewhere, within the State. The court also noted that the CBI has filed its charge sheet before the Special Judge, SC/ST Act at Hathras against the accused persons.

It is pertinent to note that the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) had been entrusted with the responsibility of providing protection to the family of the victim. CJP had also filed an intervention application in the case seeking witness protection by central paramilitary forces.

Directions

After perusing the horrific circumstances, the Division Bench has directed the District Judge, Hathras to inquire as to whether such an incident occurred on March 5 and send his report to the Court in a sealed cover.

“He shall also send a report of the learned Presiding Officer, Special Court, SC/ST Act who is trying Sessions Trial No. 583 of 2020 as to the incidents which may have taken place in his presence in the Court Room or outside. The District Judge shall before preparing such report go through CCTV Cameras, if any, installed in the court premises”, read the order.

The report is to be made available to the Senior Registrar of High Court (Lucknow) within 15 days who in turn shall place it on record of these proceedings.

Further, the court also directed the Inspector General, C.R.P.F. Central Sector, Lucknow to collect information from his personnel who have been deputed for security of the victim’s family and who, in all probability, must have accompanied the family to the Trial Court, as to whether any such incident, as has been narrated in the affidavit took place in the Court premises.

He has been directed to submit his report along with a report of the concerned officer of CRPF who may have been present on the spot, in sealed cover, to the Senior Registrar of the High Court within the next 2 weeks.

After considering all such reports, the High Court Bench shall decide whether the trial in question before the Special Judge, (SC/ST Act), Hathras is required to be stayed and is to be transferred elsewhere.

The State Government and the District Authorities have been directed to make all possible arrangements for security and smooth conduct of the trial within the court premises and outside it. “The CRPF, needless to say, shall continue to provide protection to the victim’ family and the witnesses in terms of the Order of the Supreme Court of India dated 27.10.2020 passed in Writ (Criminal) bearing No. 296 of 2020”, said the Bench.

The court has also ordered for the preservation of the CCTV footage relating to the premises at Hathras where the trial was being conducted on March 5. Till the next date of listing, the Trial Court has been instructed to conduct the proceedings in- camera. It said, “The District Judge is directed to ensure that the trial is allowed to be conducted before the Court concerned in a free and fair manner without any outside hindrance.”

Finally, the High Court Bench issued warnings and said, “We also make it clear that if any person who is stranger to the trial as also anyone who may be involved in the trial, tries to disturb the proceedings before the Trial Court or in any manner attempts to threaten the life, liberty and property of the victim’s family and the witnesses, we would be taking severe action against such person.”

The order may be read here:

Related:

State Counsel appears to justify the hasty cremation of Hathras Victim: HC
CJP moves Supreme Court in Hathras case
SC entrusts Witness Protection of Hathras victim’s family to CRPF
Hathras case: High Court seeks status report from CBI 

The post Hathras case: Victim’s family and lawyers threatened inside court premises appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Last July (2016) was the first time that Ashish Khetan received such a threat when he had in a formal complaint to the Commissioner of Police solicited action to which, unfortunately there was no response. He proceeded with his public responsibilities for the Aam Admi Party (AAP).

Yesterday, the letter dated May 11, 2017 was delivered and the threat was direct and chilling.” You are deserving of Death Penalty in the Hindu Rashtra’ and in case the message was not clear, the four five line missive “This job, with Ishwar (God’s) blessing will be carried out soon.” The missive refers to the CBI’s probe, by officer Nandkumar Nayar of the SS, that included raids of their offices and even arrests of their volunteers, Virendra Singh Tawde.
 
Khetan who has received this direct threat is more, much more than an AAP politician, however. In his investigative work as a journalist for Tehelka, Headlines Today and Gulail he has exposed such forces with documentary evidence. In June 2016, he had in a series of social media posts tweeted on the failure of investigative agencies under the Modi regime to nab the culprits behind the murders of Narayan Dabholkar and Govind Pansare. Ashish Khetan had posted messages on social media and mentioned that Sanatan Sanstha and Hindu Janjagruti Samiti had perpetrated the murder of Dabholkar. Khetan added that investigation agencies have identified the culprits responsible for Dabholkar’s murder. He had named four members of the Sanatan Sanstha — Sarang Akolkar, Rudra Patil, Jaiprakash Hegde and Praveen Limkar — behind the murder. All four have been absconding since 2008.
The anonymous letter by this extremist outfit proudly identifying itself as part of the Hindu Rashtra regime and vision was received in Khetan’s office(1233/DDC on 11/5/2017). On the envelope there is a reference to the Hindu calendar, “Jayatu Jayatu Hindu Rashtram.”

 

 
Khetan has addressed a strong letter to Rajnath Singh, Home Minister to which are annexed the two threatening letters.
 
In the letter, he states that ‘Yesterday I received a threatening letter at my office claiming that my killing is imminent. The letter advocates the cause of terror accused Sadhvi Pragya and those who are accused of killing the noted rationalist Dr. Narendra Dabholkar, the political activist from Maharashtra, Govind Pansare, the scholar, MM Kalburgi and many other innocent Indians. It then pronounces my death sentence with the threat that it will be carried out soon.
 
‘It is pertinent to mention here that those who are suspected of gunning down Dr Dabholkar and Pansare are still out of the reach of law enforcement agencies. Similarly, the prime accused in terror cases like the Malegaon, Mecca Masjid and Samjhauta Express bomb blasts have been absconding for almost a decade, with our agencies conspicuously failing to bring them to justice. The parent organisations to which these accused belong have also gained in prominence.  
 
‘Sanatan Sanstha, Abhinav Bharat, Hindu Janjagruti Samiti, Hindu Rakshak Samiti, Bajrang Dal, Durga Vahini, Sri Ram Sene, Vishwa Hindu Parishad have all been found to be involved in acts of violence and communal riots. Some of these organisations have common members and leaders. They also keep assuming new identities. Evidence collected by agencies and available with the government suggests that they are all part of the same hydra –headed social forces.   
 
‘Many people believe that in the last few years an atmosphere of fear and oppression has built up in the country. The space for critical thinking and free writing has shrunk. Anyone expressing a contrary viewpoint is easily cast as being anti-national. Writers and free thinkers and activists have been repeatedly threatened and in some cases the threats have resulted in ugly violence and even murder. Sadly, the culprits behind some of these killings are still at large and forces inimical to liberty and equal rights are only gaining in strength.
 
He has urged the government of India to take strict action against the culprits and protect democracy and free thought and expression.
 
In July 2016, Ashish Khetan had tweeted, “Right wing group Sanatan Sanstha and its affiliate wing Hindu Janajagruti Samiti are behind the murder of Dr Narendra Dabholkar. Agencies have cracked the case. ‘Sadhaks’ of Sanatan Sanstha and HJS behind Dr Dabholkar’s murder have been identified.” Dabholkar was shot dead in Pune in June 2013 when he had gone for a morning walk in Pune. Even though close to four years have passed ever since Dabholkar was murdered but police have failed to crack this case. Then, after the Modi government was sworn in in May 2014, Govind Pansare was killed in February 2015 and Kalburgi in August of the same year.

“Sanatan Sanstha had carried out bomb blasts in Maharashtra and Goa. Even though agencies had demanded for a ban to be imposed on Sanatan Sanstha but the erstwhile Democratic Front government had failed to take action against the organisation,” Khetan had added.

Khetan had then not disclosed the sources from where he received this information and didn’t provide any documentary evidence in support of his claim. Narendra Dabholkar’s son Hamid Dabholkar had said, “Mr. Khetan’s allegations confirm our suspicions which we, along with the kin of Mr. Pansare and Mr. Kalburgi, have been expressing for a long time — that the murders are the handiwork of extreme rightwing elements. The State government ought to wake up at least now and reveal the names of the assailants,” he said.
Around this time, the CBI had searched the house of an alleged Sanatan Sanstha member Sarang Akolkar, wanted by the NIA in the Goa blast case, in Pune, in connection with the murder of rationalist Narendra Dabholkar. CBI sources said besides Akolkar’s house in Pune, searches were on at the premises of Virendra Singh Tawde in Panvel near Mumbai in connection with the Dabholkar assassination case.

The entire text of the May 13, 2017 letter of Ashish Khetan to Rajnath Singh may be read here:
 
To,
 Shri Rajnath Singh,
Home Minister,
Government of India,
New Delhi
 
Dear Sir,
 
Many people believe that in the last few years an atmosphere of fear and oppression has built up in the country. The space for critical thinking and free writing has shrunk. Anyone expressing a contrary viewpoint is easily cast as being anti-national. Writers and free thinkers and activists have been repeatedly threatened and in some cases the threats have resulted in ugly violence and even murder. Sadly, the culprits behind some of these killings are still at large and forces inimical to liberty and equal rights are only gaining in strength.
 
For the last seventeen years I have written about fundamentalist and anti-national forces undermining our democracy and liberty and how these forces have been behind the orchestrated killings of innocent men, women and children. Some of this work has been done in the face of great risk and danger. And my articles have been used in the courts of law to convict those guilty of mass carnage.
 
 
Yesterday I received a threatening letter at my office claiming that my killing is imminent. The letter advocates the cause of those who are accused of killing the noted rationalist Dr. Narendra Dabholkar, the political activist from Maharashtra, Govind Pansare, the scholar, MM Kalburgi and many other innocent Indians. It then pronounces my death sentence with the threat that it will be carried out soon.
 
It is pertinent to mention here that those who are suspected of gunning down Dr Dabholkar and Pansare are still out of the reach of law enforcement agencies. Similarly, the prime accused in terror cases like the Malegaon, Mecca Masjid and Samjhauta Express bomb blasts have been absconding for almost a decade, with our agencies conspicuously failing to bring them to justice. The parent organisations to which these accused belong have also gained in prominence.  
 
Sanatan Sanstha, Abhinav Bharat, Hindu Janjagruti Samiti, Hindu Rakshak Samiti, Bajrang Dal, Durga Vahini, Sri ram Sene, Vishwa Hindu Parishad have all been found to be involved in acts of violence and communal riots. Some of these organisations have common members and leaders. They also keep assuming new identities. Evidence collected by agencies and available with the government suggests that they are all part of the same hydra –headed social forces.   
 
The letter sent to me is a chilling reminder of the growing confidence of anti-national and fascist forces who want to exterminate all dissenting voices with violence. The language used in the letter is strikingly similar to many threats that Dabholkar had received immediately before he was brutally killed.
.
I had received a similar threat letter in July last year. I had then sent a complaint to Police Commissioner of Delhi. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a response. I am sure if a similar instance had happened with a BJP or RSS leader or member of RSS parivaar, the response of the police machinery would have been strikingly different.
 
I would urge you not to treat this is as an individual complaint. I am writing this on behalf of scores of journalists, activists, artists, writers and ordinary citizens across the country who have been threatened or attacked by the right wing forces.
 
I the ardent hope that the present government will carry out its constitutional duty of protecting liberty and democracy I am writing you this letter. The two threat letters, the contents of which are self-explanatory, are annexed. ’ 

Annexed to the communication by Ashish Khetan to Rajnath Singh are the letters received and the following:
http://www.sanatan.org/en/a/3429.html

The post ‘You are Deserving of Death Penalty in the Hindu Rashtra & This Penalty will Be Executed Soon’: Extremist Outfit Threatens former Journo Ashish Khetan appeared first on SabrangIndia.