Feb
17
Update on Nanavati Commission
February 17, 2004 | Comments Off on Update on Nanavati Commission
The Nanavati Commission, investigating the pogroms against the Sikhs in November 1984, gave senior Congress leader Jagdish Tytler two weeks to reply to affidavits implicating him in the massacres. The Commission also agreed to the request made by Congress leaders Vasant Sathe and Kamal Nath to adjourn the cross-examination of witnesses until March 8. The […]
Feb
17
Group Releases Report on Jailbreak
February 17, 2004 | Comments Off on Group Releases Report on Jailbreak
Lawyers for Human Rights International released a report on Monday on the Burail jailbreak. The news coverage of this report (scroll down) has been scanty, with no information on the content of the report, except: They suggested compliance of guidelines fixed by the Supreme Court with regard to arrest and custodial interrogation by the police […]
Feb
16
Gujarat Documentary Wins International Film Awards
February 16, 2004 | Comments Off on Gujarat Documentary Wins International Film Awards
Rakesh Sharma’s documentary on Gujarat after the 2002 pogroms against Muslims—Final Solution—won two awards at a Berlin international film festival. Sharma’s film had been denied a screening at the Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF), most likely because of its political nature. Final Solution interviews survivors of Godhra and the Gujarat pogroms, as well as VHP […]
Feb
15
Reflections on Impunity Panel
February 15, 2004 | 1 Comment
In his article, “Quest for Democracy: Nothing Obsolete About That,” prominent reporter Dilip D’Souza writes about the role of the World Social Forum (Mumbai) in airing alternative opinions and political views. He specifically focuses on the panel, Fighting Impunity in India: Perspectives from Victim Families and Human Rights Defenders, organized by the Committee for Information […]
Feb
14
Lawyers Fear Illegal Execution of Jailbreak Escapees
February 14, 2004 | Comments Off on Lawyers Fear Illegal Execution of Jailbreak Escapees
The defense counsel for the escapees, accused of roles in the assassination of former Chief Minister Beant Singh, have filed an application in court [scroll to bottom of link] stating that Jagtar Singh Hawara and Jagtar Tara have been eliminated by the police: The defence counsel for the accused moved another application in favour of […]
Feb
13
Questionable Appointment to Punjab Human Rights Commission
February 13, 2004 | Comments Off on Questionable Appointment to Punjab Human Rights Commission
An article about a police seminar for the Punjab IPS officers association, at which a US professor spoke, mentioned the appointment of R.L. Anand, former Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, to the Punjab State Human Rights Commission. This appointment has occurred despite Justice Anand’s record in disposing of habeas corpus petitions filed […]
Feb
13
Court Rejects Gujarat Cops Bail Plea
February 13, 2004 | Comments Off on Court Rejects Gujarat Cops Bail Plea
A special court in Gujarat has rejected the anticipatory bail application of three policemen in Gujarat, for their role in improperly investigating the murder of 14 Muslims, killed during the Gujarat pogroms against Muslims in early 2002: Fast-track court Judge H P Patel rejected the application on the grounds that applicants are “senior police officials” […]
Feb
13
Report by US Commission on Religious Freedom
February 13, 2004 | Comments Off on Report by US Commission on Religious Freedom
The U.S. Commission on Religious Freedom has recommended to the Secretary of State to include India in the list of Countries of Particular Concern. 10 other countries were recommended, including Burma, North Korea, Pakistan, Sudan and Iran: “Several Ministers from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party have publicly allied themselves with extremist Hindu organisations known collectively […]
Feb
12
A Possible New POTA Case
February 12, 2004 | 1 Comment
Police claim to have arrested an alleged former Sikh militant living in Gujarat. The police arrested 74-year-old Navrang Singh from his home and asked the state government to invoke the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) against him. The General section of this blog gives news updates on POTA. Amnesty International conducted a briefing on draconian provisions […]
Feb
12
CBI Files Report in Gujarat Massacre Case
February 12, 2004 | Comments Off on CBI Files Report in Gujarat Massacre Case
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has submitted its report to the Supreme Court on the exhumation of bodies related to the massacre of 14 Muslims during the Gujarat pogroms against Muslims in early 2002. Bilkis Yakub Rasool, whose case we have been following, was gang-raped and witnessed the murder of these 14 people, including […]