Mumbai: The United Against Injustice and Discrimination (UAID) and the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) held a press conference at the Mumbai Press Club here Friday to condemn the alleged harassment of APCR National Secretary Nadeem Khan by the Delhi Police. The event shed light on the unlawful attempts to arrest Khan without proper legal procedures.
On November 29, around 20-25 police personnel visited the APCR office in an attempt to detain Khan. However, only a security guard was present at the time. The following day, the officers returned but lacked an FIR copy or an arrest warrant. On November 30, the police from Shaheen Bagh station reportedly arrived at Khan’s brother’s residence in Bengaluru without prior notice or warrants.
APCR, an organization committed to protecting civil liberties and promoting equality and justice, has been actively providing legal assistance in various cases across High Courts and the Supreme Court. In a press release, APCR stated its willingness to cooperate with any investigation provided it adheres to legal procedures. It also demanded an immediate end to the harassment of Nadeem Khan.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Saleem Khan detailed the incident, explaining how Shaheen Bagh police, led by the SHO, arrived in Bengaluru on November 30. They asked Khan to accompany them to Delhi for questioning related to a circulating Twitter video. Despite lacking proper documentation, they showed an FIR (No. 0280/2024, Shaheen Bagh Police Station, New Delhi) citing his name based on a controversial right-wing Twitter account.
The officers allegedly subjected Khan and his family to pressure for nearly six hours before presenting a notice under Section 35(3) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, asking Khan to join the investigation. Dr. Khan emphasised that such actions reflect attempts to intimidate APCR and disrupt its mission of safeguarding justice and human rights.
Prominent activist Tushar Gandhi also addressed the gathering, emphasising the need for peaceful protests to raise public awareness. He stated, “The current situation demands that we take to the streets. It is crucial to awaken the masses and resist the growing injustice in the country.”
Alka Mahajan from the Bharat Jodo Abhiyan echoed Gandhi’s sentiments, urging people to unite fearlessly. She stressed the importance of both parliamentary and public demonstrations to highlight the gravity of the times.
In response to a question, Gandhi and Dr. Saleem Khan reassured the participants, stating, “We must fight against oppression and injustice without despair. Our voices do make an impact – so much so that, despite its resources, the government appears fearful of a single individual.”
The conference concluded with a collective call for unity and resilience in the face of growing challenges to civil liberties and democratic principles in India.
