SC To Hear Petition Challenging "Arbitrary Arrests" Of Human Rights Activists At 3:45 PM
Live LawFive eminent citizens led by Professor Romila Thapar today moved the Supreme Court against "arbitrary arrests" of human rights defenders including Sudha Bharadwaj and Gautam Navlakha citing "Maoist links".The matter was mentioned by senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing the petitioners, before a constitution bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices Sanjay Kishan. Five eminent citizens led by Professor Romila Thapar today moved the Supreme Court against "arbitrary arrests" of human rights defenders including Sudha Bharadwaj and Gautam Navlakha citing "Maoist links". "Issue appropriate direction, directing an independent investigation into arrest of these human rights activists in June and August 2018 in connection with the Bhima-Koregaon violence," the petition said. Maharashtra Police yesterday raided the homes of prominent Left-wing activists in several states and arrested at least five of them for suspected Maoist links, sparking a chorus of outraged protests from human rights defenders.