Journalist and human rights activist Prashant Rahi was arrested on 1
September 2013 on suspicion of having links with a banned organization.
He is being held in police custody in Aheri, Maharashtra state, and is
at imminent risk of torture or other ill-treatment.
52-year-old Prashant Rahi, also known as Prashant
Sanglikar, is a freelance journalist and activist from the state of
Uttarakhand. He has been actively working to secure legal aid for people
arrested on suspicion of having links with the Communist Party of India
- Maoist (CPI – Maoist), a banned armed group fighting for more than a
decade to overthrow elected governments in several Indian states.
The Maharashtra police have stated that they arrested Prashant Rahi
in Gondia, Maharashtra while he was heading to meet a senior member of
the CPI (Maoist). However, Prashant Rahi’s family say that he was
arrested in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, while on his way to meet a lawyer.
Prashant Rahi is being held under India’s principal anti-terror
legislation, the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), for
allegedly being involved in unlawful activities, and being a member of
and supporting a terrorist organization. The police also suspect
Prashant Rahiof involvement in criminal conspiracy. A local court has
remanded him in police custody until 16 September 2013. Reports of
torture in custody and forced confessions conducted by police in India
are very common, especially for suspects arrested under anti-terror
laws.
Prashant Rahi had been arrested in 2007 in Uttarakhand on similar
charges, and allegedly tortured in detention by police officers. He was
released on bail in 2011 after three years in prison. The allegations of
torture during that detention have not been investigated. A trial court
in Rudrapur, Uttarakhand that is hearing the 2007 case is expected to
deliver its judgement later this month.
Please write immediately in English or your own language:
- Calling on Maharashtra authorities to ensure that Prashant Rahi is protected from torture and other ill-treatment while in custody;
- Urging authorities to ensure that Prashant Rahi is given a fair trial;
- Urging them to investigate the alleged torture of Prashant Rahi in police custody in 2007, and prosecute suspects, including those with command responsibility, in fair trials.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 23 OCTOBER 2013 TO:
| Aheri Sub-divisional Officer of Police Suhash Bawche Aheri Police Station Aheri Maharashtra 442705 India Fax: +91 7133 272047 Salutation: Dear Sir |
Superintendent of Police Suvez Haque Gadchiroli Police Station Near Telecom Office Rampuri, Gadchiroli, Maharashtra 442605 India Fax: +91 7132 222159 Email:sp.gadchiroli@mahapolice.gov.in Salutation: Dear Sir |
And copies to: Home Minister, Maharashtra R.R Patil Home Department 7th Flr, World Trade Centre, Cuffe Parade, Mumbai 400005 India Fax: +91 22 22151733 (Home Secretary) Email: min.home@maharashtra.gov.in Salutation: Dear Sir |
Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country. Please insert local diplomatic addresses below:
Name Address 1 Address 2 Address 3 Fax Fax number Email Email address Salutation Salutation
Name Address 1 Address 2 Address 3 Fax Fax number Email Email address Salutation Salutation
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