Human rights activist Father Cedric Prakash of Prashant, a prominent Ahmedabad-based NGO, was questioned for about 90 minutes by the CID today, in connection with his recent visit to the Sabarmati jail where POTA detainees are lodged.Police Inspector (CID Crime) J.G. Saiyed also inquired about Father Prakash’s visit to London in December 2003 where he allegedly made some inflammatory statements related to Gujarat riot victims. The inquiry was initiated after the Home Department forwarded an e-mail, alleging that Prakash was involved in “anti-national” activities. Prakash told The Indian Express that Saiyed asked for his passport but did not press for it when his lawyer objected. Saiyed had questioned him first on April 26 after receiving an e-mail sent by Vishal Sharma to the Chief Minister’s Office. He was questioned again on June 8.Vishal Sharma had been inducted into CMO and even allotted an official chamber during Narendra Modi’s first stint as CM in 2001. Sharma used to advise Modi on IT-related matters before he was removed from the job.Additional DGP (CID Crime) Kuldip Sharma refused comment on Prakash’s questioning, while Minister of State for Home Amit Shah was not available for comment.State DGP A.K. Bhargav said though he was unaware of this case, the police were within their rights to question any person ‘‘suspected of trying to create disharmony in society. We receive many such e-mails and the CID Crime branch conducts a routine inquiry into them.’’ However, a senior CID Crime official confirmed that his department did receive a copy of the e-mail from the Home Department. ‘‘It was a routine inquiry and since Fr Prakash clarified his position, the chapter is now closed.’’ Prakash said the inquiry was ordered by principal secretary to the CM Hasmukh Adhiya. Adhiya, however, denied having ordered any inquiry or having forwarded any such e-mail.Prakash said he had been questioned on an article that appeared in the Milli Gazette. He said he had not given an interview to Milli Gazette website on his visit to London, where he attended a seminar.
