India: False charges and acts of intimidation against human rights defender Julfikar Ali

Front Line is deeply concerned following the false charges that have been taken against human rights defender Julfikar Ali. Julfikar Ali is the Murshidabad District Human Rights Monitor of the National Project on Preventing Torture in India (NPPTI) which is coordinated by People’s Watch and sponsored by the European Union. Julfikar Ali investigates alleged incidents of torture carried out by state security agents, such as the Border Security Forces (BSF), and seeks legal redress on behalf of victims of cases of torture.

Further Information

28/02/2008 - On 30 January 2008, police visited Julfikar Ali’s home asking questions about his whereabouts. His relatives informed them that he was in Bangladesh at the time. The purpose of the visit was reportedly to inform Julfikar Ali about charges that had been filed against him. On 12 January 2008, Inspector Vikash Chandra of the BSF lodged a complaint at Ranninagar Police Station under sections 147, 148, 149, 186, 353, 307 and 326 of the Indian Penal Code. The charges refer respectively to: rioting; rioting, armed with a deadly weapon; unlawful assembly; obstruction of public servants; assault to deter a public servant from discharge of his duty; attempted murder and grievous bodily harm by means of a dangerous weapon.

The incident referred to in the complaint is said to have taken place on the morning of 12 January 2008 at approximately 1.25am at the Kaharpara border outpost. 40-50 farmers attempted to smuggle cattle across the border, reportedly injuring a member of the BSF, Constable Bhagwan Koli. The complaint was lodged against four persons, including Julfikar Ali, although his name was miswritten as Julfikar Shiekh and his address was incorrect. Julfikar Ali does not know the other three persons named in the complaint and furthermore he was reportedly twenty-five kilometres away from the scene of the alleged incident at the time.

As of the current time Julfikar Ali has still not been officially informed of the complaint against him.

Front Line believes that Julfikar Ali has been targeted as a result of his legitimate human rights activities, in particular his work to end impunity and the practice of torture in India. Front Line expresses concern that Julfikar Ali may face arrest based on the charges filed against him by the BSF.