PUCL alleges rights violation during arrest of IM suspects

A human rights body today alleged that serious rights violations were committed by police forces while picking up suspected Indian Mujahideen operatives in Jaipur, Jodhpur and Sikar in March this year.
In a 44-page fact-finding report, the People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) also raised doubts about the timing of the arrests.
"Serious human rights violation was committed when the youths were picked up by police officers. Very strict action, including launching of criminal prosecution, needs to be taken against all police officials who have very clearly violated the law in relation to the arrest, interrogation, search, sealing, seizure and other procedures," the report said.

The report pointed out that the use of sections of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act rather than those of IPC showed deliberate attempt to politicise the entire operation.
A Rajasthan ATS officer, who did not wish to be named, said that all the legal procedures were followed at the time of the arrests.
"We are not aware of any such fact-finding report, but I can say that due legal procedure was followed at the time of the arrest," the officer told PTI.

He also declined to comment on the activists' allegations about the timing of the arrest.
Delhi Police Special Cell, Rajasthan ATS and Jaipur and Jodhpur commissionerate police conducted raids in Jaipur and Jodhpur in March and arrested three youths from Jaipur and five from Jodhpur. Five youths were also arrested from Sikar later.

The ATS alleged that they were Indian Mujahideen operatives and members of a sleeping module in the state.