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LATEST NEWS UPDATES | Naxal convictions: A case again to revisit Act -Ashutosh Bhardwaj

Naxal convictions: A case again to revisit Act -Ashutosh Bhardwaj

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published Published on Jul 12, 2013   modified Modified on Jul 12, 2013
-The Indian Express


The recent conviction of eight persons for spreading Naxalism in urban areas of Chhattisgarh again underlines a paradox in the functioning of investigation and prosecution wings of the police. Though the state has consistently topped the chart of Maoist violence across the country, it is yet to secure a single conviction in assault cases. In fact, all the accused even in a high-profile incident like the Tadmetla ambush, in which 76 cops were killed, were acquitted.

However, in cases where the charge is merely of being a 'Maoist supporter', the conviction record stands tall, including several activists, businessmen and writers. Is it because such cases are easier to prosecute as the nature of evidence here is relaxed, courtesy the Chhattisgarh Public Security Act that was enacted to check Maoists but has been misused against ordinary citizens?

The Act makes any activity that "interferes or tends to interfere with maintenance of public order" unlawful, makes any outfit that indulges in such activities "unlawful", and declares that anyone, even without being its member, contributes to or aids such an outfit can be punished. A person who may be completely unaware that he is 'contributing' to such an outfit can be punished as the onus to prove his innocence lies on him. On the contrary, the Act does not make intention or knowledge an ingredient of crime.

While some of the convicts in the recent case have substantial evidence against them, the evidence falls short in at least three cases - that of two Bilaspur-based cloth merchants, Naresh and Ramesh Khubwani, and a tailor, Dayaram Sahu. The Khubwanis, the prosecution says, took orders from a top Maoist to stitch uniforms for security guards. Sahu was then hired by the merchants to stitch the clothes. The three have been convicted despite the police also admitting that this top Maoist had hidden his identity while placing the order, claiming to be a person who hires security guards. Their logic is that any cloth merchant who took such largescale orders for stitching 'military uniforms' must have known the identity of his clients.

As the state police celebrates its success in securing eight convictions, the maximum in any Maoist case so far in Chhattisgarh, it should perhaps be reviewing the law that tramples over the rights the Constitution mandates for its citizens.

Ashutosh is a special correspondent based in Raipur


The Indian Express, 12 July, 2013, http://www.indianexpress.com/news/naxal-convictions-a-case-again-to-revisit-act/1140770/0


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