Human rights organisations have condemned the murder of suspected Indian Mujahideen operative Mohammed Qateel Siddiqui, accusing the jail authorities of being complicit. They demanded that the Bombay High Court take suo motu notice and initiate action.
Siddiqui, accused for being a part of the conspiracy to plant a bomb in Pune's Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati temple, was killed in Yerwada jail in Pune on Friday morning. He is also allegedly involved in the Bangalore Chinnaswamy Stadium blast and Delhi's Jama Masjid blast.
Jamia Teacher's Solidarity Association (JTSA), ANHAD (Act Now for Harmony and Democracy) and Human Rights Law Network (HRLN) have demanded an impartial inquiry into the incident. They have also demanded that an FIR under section 302 be filed immediately and a compensation be granted to Siddiqui's wife.
Questioning the complicit attitude of the jail authorities, the organisations have alleged that the entire incident was a conspiracy. Pointing out that the investigative agencies had claimed that Siddiqui was the key to unraveling the IM network, they have questioned the future of the investigations.
“While custodial violence is endemic and almost institutionalized, Maharashtra Jails are also notorious for attacks on accused, particularly on those accused of terrorism. It is obvious that undertrials, especially those charged with crimes like terrorism, are not safe in Maharashtra jails,”Manisha Sethi of JTSA stated.
“All accused in judicial custody are directly under the care of the judiciary and as such it is the judiciary's responsibility to ensure their well-being and safety. We hope therefore that the Mumbai High Court will take suo motu notice of this killing and initiate action in the matter,” Ms. Sethi said.
