Relatives of the convicts in the 7/11 Mumbai train blasts case have demanded that their kin be released, even as social organisations, political parties and lawyers said the police should look for the ‘real criminals’. They also said there was a need for a change in the way the Muslim community was being viewed by society.
The views were expressed at a seminar organised by the Innocence Network, Milli Tahreek, Mool Niwasi Muslim Manch, Republican Panthers Maharashtra and Wahdat-e-Islami Maharashtra on Sunday. Former Bombay High Court judge Justice B.G. Kolse-Patil was also present.
The Anti-Terrorist Squad of the Maharashtra police had arrested 13 people within days of the blast in July 2006 and claimed to have cracked the case. The MCOCA court convicted 12 of the 13 accused in the case, sentencing five to death and seven to life imprisonment. One accused was acquitted. Speaking at the seminar, the father of three of those convicted said, “We demand unconditional bail from the court because they have not done anything.”
Dr. Ram Punyani, chairman, Centre for Study of Society and Secularism, said, “Common sense of society and investigation is based on the belief that all Muslims are not terrorists but all terrorists are Muslim. There is an atmosphere against minority communities in the country. This problem is not only political but also social.”
“There is a certain amount of fear in the Muslim community. We need to remove that fear and live harmoniously with people of other religions,” said legislator Kapil Harishchandra Patil, who is also president, Lok Bharti. He added, “Terrorists don't have any religion, but victims are from all faiths. We have to fight against people who are terrorising people. The real criminals should be arrested, only then would justice be delivered.”
Speakers at the event alleged that evidence is fabricated on the basis of confessions, which are made in such circumstances that they cannot be admissible in court. Advocate Maharum Gehral said, “During the trial, such an atmosphere is created that anybody who helps such people is anti-national. I came here with the hope that we can convert this case into a national movement. The conscience of India would be hurt if these innocent people are punished.”
The writer is an intern at The Hindu
Speakers alleged evidence is fabricated based on confessions made in extenuating
circumstances
