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Journalism of Courage
The UP Cabinet on Tuesday accepted the Nimesh Commission report,which was constituted in 2008 to probe the arrest of alleged HuJI activists Khalid Mujahid and Tariq Qasmi from Barabanki for their alleged involvement in serial blasts at district courts of Lucknow,Varanasi and Faizabad.
Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav said the report would be placed before the Vidhan Sabha along with the action-taken report (ATR),but did not specify what action would be taken. Opposition parties,however,called the Cabinet decision a political gimmick,while social activists demanded quick action on the report.
Speaking to The Indian Express,retired judge R D Nimesh said: Based on the facts that came out during the probe,I had raised suspicion over the arrest of the two accused Khalid and Tariq from Barabanki on December 22,2007. I had recommended that all those officers and employees who were involved in arresting them and worked against the law should be identified and action should be taken against them.
Nimesh said that since the case is pending in the district court of Barabanki,he had not fixed responsibility on any individual. It is upon the government to identify the officers and take appropriate action, he added.
The commission was constituted on March 14,2008 by then Mayawati government after family members of Khalid and Tariq,along with social organisations,raised questions over the arrests and alleged that the two were kept in illegal custody. The report was finally submitted on August 31,2012,five and a half months after Akhilesh Yadav assumed charge as Chief Minister.
Human rights organisations had been demanding that the report should be made public and action taken on its recommendation. The demand has gained support after the death of Khalid while being taken from Faizabad to Lucknow jail last month.
