The Jamia Teachers Solidarity Front has claimed that Mohammad Salman,the alleged Indian Mujahideen operative arrested as a suspect in the 2008 Delhi blasts by the UP Anti Terrorism Squad,is a minor. The JTSA,formed in the aftermath of the 2008 Batla House encounter,has produced Salmans tenth standard mark sheet that states his date of birth as October 3,1992. Meanwhile,Salmans lawyer moved a petition before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate on Friday,asking for his case to be heard before the Juvenile Justice Board. The matter is to be heard on Monday afternoon. The JTSA has also written to the Harsh Mander,Special Commissioner on Juvenile Justice stating that Salmans rights as a child have been violated. Md Salman ought to be covered under the Juvenile Justice Act 1986. We strongly object to the remand of the boy granted to the Delhi Police,especially since the specific purpose of the remand is interrogation, says the letter signed by JTSA President Manisha Sethi. The sensationalist news stories appearing in the media (again fed by the police agencies) alleging Salmans involvement in terrorist activities from 2007 onwards (when he would have been merely 14-years-old) and the publication of his photographs where he appears handcuffed and surrounded by police personnel are in stark violation of the Section 21 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act,2000 (56 of 2000) as amended by the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Amendment Act,2006 (33 of 2006), says the letter. The Delhi Police spokesperson refused to comment on the matter,stating that investigations were underway.
