Demand to release political prisoners held under UAPA in Hyderabad Central Prison

Counterview Desk

The civil rights network Campaign Against State Repression (CASR)*, condemning what it calls "inhuman treatment" of three political prisoners by the jail authorities of Chanchalguda Central Prison, Hyderabad, has said that despite getting bail, they are kept in jail after registering fresh charges against them.

CASR reports, two of them, Amitabh Bagchi and Gangadhara Rao (both above 70), held under India's Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), are having serious health issues, yet have been forced to begun a hunger strike demanding that their cells be opened during the day.

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Campaign Against State Repression has been informed by the Hyderabad-based advocate, Jabali, that political prisoners Amitabh Bagchi (72), Gangadhara Rao (over 70), and Rajkumar (26), held under UAPA in Chenchalguda Central Prison, have begun a hunger strike demanding that their cells be opened during the day.

As informed by Jabali, Amitab Bagchi, who suffers from severe health issues -- including glaucoma, spinal arthritis, and significant vision loss -- was granted bail by the Karimnagar Sessions Court after 13 years as an under trial prisoner. However, the very same court reversed its own decision without any new facts and circumstances or violation of bail. Additionally, Bagchi’s surety, renowned Telugu writer Hussain, was arrested prior to the bail cancellation.

Gangadhara Rao, arrested with his wife eight months ago, was granted default bail due to the police's failure to file a charge sheet or request a 90 days extension. Despite this, the Sessions Court stayed the bail, and the case has faced continuous adjournments without the filing of a charge sheet. This ongoing delay appears to be a tactic to harass the prisoners.

Rajkumar faces repeated legal challenges. After securing bail in one case, he is immediately presented in another case to extend his imprisonment.

These prisoners are currently held in solitary confinement in Narmada Barrack, Chenchalguda Jail, and are protesting by refusing food. They are confined to their cells throughout the day, violating various High Court and Supreme Court rulings against solitary confinement.

Jabali added that Mula Devender Reddy, who is in the jail hospital, has lost vision in one eye and has only 5 feet of vision in the other. He needs a magnifier and telescope to perform daily activities effectively. Devender Reddy has an order from the court permitting him the use of these aids. Despite this order, Devender Reddy was not provided with the magnifier until Jabali issued a legal notice to the Superintendent, threatening contempt of court. The magnifier was eventually supplied this morning. However, the Superintendent has not complied with the court's order for a medical examination of Reddy by an eye doctor.

Additionally, Devender Reddy was not permitted to access his bail petition papers. These issues were detailed in the legal notice, but despite receiving it, only the magnifier was provided. As a result, Reddy has been unable to file his bail petition.

CASR demands an immediate end to this mistreatment and calls for the restoration of the prisoners' rights and humane treatment. We demand Immediate release all these political orisoners.

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*AIRSO, AISA, AISF, APCR, ASA, BAPSA, BBAU, BASF, BSM, Bhim Army, bsCEM, CEM, COLLECTIVE, CRPP, CSM, CTF, DISSC, DSU, DTF, Forum Against Repression Telangana, Fraternity, IAPL, Innocence Network, Karnataka Janashakti, LAA, Mazdoor Adhikar Sangathan, Mazdoor Patrika, , NAPM, NAZARIYA , Nishant Natya Manch, Nowruz, NTUI, People’s Watch, Rihai Manch, Samajwadi Janparishad, Samajwadi Lok Manch, Bahujan Samjavadi Manch, SFI, United Peace Alliance, WSS,Y4S

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