In a strong statement, the Campaign Against State Repression (CASR) has condemned the recent harassment and intimidation faced by Nadeem Khan, National General Secretary of the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR), and his team. The incidents highlight growing concerns over the suppression of civil rights activists in India.
On November 30, 2024, officers from the Shaheen Bagh Police Station in Delhi, led by the Station House Officer (SHO), arrived at the residence of Nadeem Khan’s brother in Bangalore without a warrant. They demanded that Khan "voluntarily" accompany them to Delhi for questioning about a Twitter video. However, they presented no official notice or warrant, merely a copy of an FIR (FIR No. 0280/2024) lodged earlier that day. The FIR reportedly originated from a right-wing Twitter account.
After over six hours of harassment, police issued a notice under Section 35(3) of the BNSS, summoning Khan to join the investigation. Notably, the FIR was registered at 12:48 PM, and by 5 PM the same day, officers had already reached Khan's family residence in Bangalore, raising suspicions of premeditated targeting.
A day prior, on November 29, 2024, Delhi Police raided APCR’s office without any legal documentation or prior notice. The late-night raid, involving over 20 officers, continued the next morning with further questioning of security personnel. Despite repeated requests, APCR’s legal counsel was not informed of the inquiry’s basis. The police allegedly threatened and misbehaved with the APCR counsel, violating legal norms and professional decorum.
The actions against Nadeem Khan and APCR appear linked to their legal advocacy and fact-finding missions. Recently, APCR successfully challenged the government’s controversial "Bulldozer Raaj" policy in the Supreme Court. The court, in a landmark ruling, emphasized adherence to due process before demolishing properties. APCR has also led investigations into violence against minorities, further drawing the ire of right-wing factions.
CASR asserted that these raids and legal actions are part of a broader campaign by the BJP-RSS to silence dissent and weaken organizations supporting marginalized communities, particularly Muslims. They urge immediate cessation of all forms of harassment against Nadeem Khan and the APCR team.
It called upon democratic and progressive forces nationwide to unite and raise their voices against these oppressive tactics.
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