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This is an archive article published on January 2, 2003

I am looking forward to my return to India: Stillman

After two years of imprisonment and more of infamy, Ian Stillman, who was released from jail in December after the direct intervention of th...

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After two years of imprisonment and more of infamy, Ian Stillman, who was released from jail in December after the direct intervention of the UK Government, still believes India gave him a fair deal.

In Britain, trying to piece together a new life, the man accused of drug trafficking by an Indian court is looking for a full pardon so that he can return and continue with his charity work for the deaf. He thanked the Indian Government for ‘‘listening to my case and granting me full relief of sentence. I trust that this is just the first step towards a full pardon,’’ he said.

His travails began when he was travelling to Manali in a taxi. In a raid, the police found 20 kilos of charas from the taxi. ‘‘First they said I was holding it and then said it was in the taxi. It was not mine and as an above the knee amputee it is impossible to carry such a heavy bag,’’ Stillman said.

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The probe was not easy for him as the police denied him interpreters to help in communication. The prosecution claimed that Stillman had no communication problems and was merely hard of hearing. ‘‘They may have assumed this as I can speak quite well and so may not appear to have a problem. In other countries, deaf people arrested by the police or in court must by law be provided with an interpreter.’’

To strengthen their case the police came up with an accusation that Stillman was a fraudster and drugs dealer with mafia links. And there were cases pending against him in Britain. However, the British government denied these charges saying he was not wanted in UK…and there were no records of conviction against him.’’

Consequent to surging political and public pressure, British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw raised the issue with his counterpart in India. And then UK PM Tony Blair spoke to Vajpayee for his release. After spending 829 days in prison in India, Stillman was finally released and reached Britain on the December 13.

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