NHRC asks TS DGP to reconsider victim's comments in Karimnagar anti-CAA protest case
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on 19 June directed the Telangana DGP to reconsider the comments as well as the CD and annexure of the complainants in the case of Karimnagar ACP P. Ashok.
By Newsmeter Network Published on 20 Jun 2021 2:06 PM GMT
Hyderabad: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on 19 June directed the Telangana DGP to reconsider the comments as well as the CD and annexure of the complainants in the case of Karimnagar ACP P. Ashok. The ACP had reportedly told an anti-CAA protester to go to the "neighbouring country" and that Islam has excessive fanaticism and terrorism.
Earlier, after the comment of Telangana DGP in this case, the NHRC had concluded the hearing.
The case
Abdul Mujeeb, a resident of Karimnagar, had alleged that the ACP had threatened him for taking out a rally in protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). On 24 December 2019, the police had summoned the protestors booked in a case for counselling.
During the counselling, the ACP allegedly told the protestors that they should go to the neighbouring country. The cop also allegedly said that Islam has excessive fanaticism and terrorism. The video of the counselling session had gone viral on social media.
On 1 October 2020, the NHRC had directed to issue conditional summons against DGP Telangana to submit the requisite report. Meanwhile, before the issuance of conditional summons, the Commission received a report dated 5 October 2020 along with enclosures from Telangana DGP that said after the CAA was passed, activists of some radical organizations had started instigating Karimnagar Muslim youth through social media to take to the streets in protest against the CAA. A few youths suspected to be under their influence organized flash protest programmes at four places without permission.
The DGP also said that to maintain peace and communal harmony, ACP Karimnagar Town had conducted counseling for some youth. On 24 December 2019, Abdul Mujeeb who was involved in the case was called to Karimnagar I Town police station for counselling.
"Counselling was conducted in good faith in order to guide and advise the youth who were agitating against CAA. The ACP and inspector of police did not make any derogatory comments against any religion or community but cited certain facts and circumstances that are contributing to the rise of global terrorism. The essence of the counselling was to dissuade the youth from violent protest programmes," said the DGP.
On 26 November 2020, the Commission considered the material placed on the record and closed the case and observed, "To maintain law and order, the police took some necessary steps in good faith because Karimnagar Town is communally hyper-sensitive. In view of the above, it appears that allegations leveled in the complaint could not be substantiated, therefore the case is closed."
The Commission received an email dated 5 January from the complainant requesting the case be reopened in view of Regulation 43 of the NHRC Regulations 1994 and said a copy of the report dated 5 October 2020 was not being provided to him with comments on the report. The Commission considered the email sent by the complainant and accepted his requests.
In response to the DGP, Mujeeb submitted his comments on 16 February along with the annexure and CD. He said the reports are faulty and inconclusive and further prayed for independent impartial investigation and compensation in the matter.
The Commission considered the comments submitted by the complainant and further directed the Telangana DGP to reconsider the comments as well as the CD and annexure submitted within six weeks. The Commission further directed the DGP to submit the updated status regarding the case FIR within six weeks.
