Sharjeel’s brother Muzammil said informing the family members is part of the procedure because it enables their lawyers to be present during the proceedings in the new state
Waquar Hasan | Clarion India
NEW DELHI – The family of student activist Sharjeel Imam, currently incarcerated in Delhi’s Tihar Jail, is concerned about his security after he was taken to Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh without informing his relatives or lawyers.
Sharjeel’s brother Muzammil Imam told Clarion India that he was not aware as to when he was taken to Aligarh. A case is registered against Sharjeel for a speech that he is reported to have made at the Aligarh Muslim University during protests against Citizenship (Amendment) Act earlier this year.
“There was a case against him in Uttar Pradesh along with other four states namely Assam, Manipur, Delhi and Arunachal Pradesh. The formality of his custody in Delhi, Arunachal and Assam has been completed. UP was left. Our objection is not over he being taken to UP. Our objection is as to why the requirement of informing counsel or family members for shifting the accused from one state to another was not followed,” said Muzammil.
He said informing the family members is part of the procedure because it enables their lawyers to be present during the proceedings in the new state.
He said he came to know about the shifting on Friday morning through his sources who were there. They had inkling that Sharjeel can be taken to UP at any time. Sharjeel was produced in Aligarh district court, according to his brother.
Sharjeel was arrested by the Delhi Police in January.
Muzammil said that this is not the first time when the police have moved his brother from one state to another without informing the family or counsel. Earlier, when he was taken to Assam from Delhi, the family was kept in the dark.
“We are very concerned about his security. Last time, he was taken to Assam by train in a general bogey. It was a 35-hour-long journey. Anything could have happened in a cramped bogey,” he said.
He said his brother is not a criminal. He is just an accused. Even, the convicts enjoy certain rights, Muzammil asserted.