[Reader-list] Denied bail, Nagpur jail undertrials seek NHRC intervention Mumbai, Nov 24, 2013, DHNS:

[Asit Das]

Denied bail, Nagpur jail undertrials seek NHRC intervention
Mumbai, Nov 24, 2013, DHNS:

*Around 500 undertrials, including 45 women political prisoners languishing
in the Nagpur Central Jail, have written a memorandum to National Human
Rights Commission (NHRC) stating that they were being deliberately denied
their right to bail.*

The signed letter sent to the NHRC on Saturday, citing Supreme Court
rulings, states that the apex court has time and again emphasised on the
right of the undertrial to be granted bail in cases wherein it is certain
that the undertrial will not be jumping the bail or that he or she belongs
to a deprived and lower economic class.

However, the reality practised in lower courts as well as by public
prosecutors who refuse to budge from their stand and even go to the extent
of using all kind of legalese to keep political prisoners inside jail, is
contrary to the very essence of justice which judiciary proclaims impart,
the letter states.

The inmates of Nagpur Jail urged NHRC to look into the matter as the denial
of bail being practised not just in the state but across the country is
tantamount to severe human rights violation.

*Bandh call in Vidarbha*

Banned Communist Party of India (Maoist), for the first time, called for a
bandh across Vidarbha last week to highlight the state’s failure in
extending assistance to agriculturists in eastern Maharashtra.

Pointing at the excess rain which ravaged Vidarbha this year,  the rebels
in a press release issued from Nagpur, stated that in the last four months
200 farmers took their lives to escape the misery.

The reports indicate that the devastation hit nearly 18 lakh hectare
farmland and 1.5 lakh houses.The statement apart from bringing to fore the
plight of farmers in the region, slammed government for arresting leaders
voicing tribal and farmers issues in the region.

The bandh called by CPI -Maoist in Vidarbha was seen to have varying
degrees of impact with far-eastern regions like Gadchiroli witnessing a
total shut-down; the demands included waiving off loans and interests;
additional loans for farmers and other facilities for the families.