The Hindu : Concern over acquittals in 'Best Bakery' case

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jul 27, 2003

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Concern over acquittals in 'Best Bakery' case

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI JULY 26. Expressing deep concern over the acquittal of all 21 accused in the "Best Bakery" case, a group of civil liberty activists, scribes, lawyers and academicians today appealed to the Supreme Court to exercise its power and order reinvestigation of such cases by Central agencies.

Gathered here under the banner of "Jan Hastakshep,'' they also demanded that "retrials" in the Gujarat communal riot cases be conducted outside the State by special courts whose presiding judges and prosecutors be appointed by the Supreme Court.

Appealing to the people of Gujarat and all secular, progressive and democratic forces of the country to build a broadbased movement against communalism and the growing "fascist tendencies," the participants called upon the people to come forward in defence of the victims of the Gujarat genocide and provide them all possible support.

Civil liberty activist, N.D. Pancholi, expressed concern that the judgments as in the Best Bakery case could arouse fear and insecurity in the minds of the minorities.

Prem Shankar Jha, journalist, criticised the Gujarat Government and the State police and for applying what he called "double standards" in dealing with cases involving Hindus and Muslims.

He alleged that while Muslims were being tried under POTA, Hindus were either going scot-free or being booked under normal charges.

Increasing unemployment among Muslims due to globalisation and their "sectarian treatment'' at the hands of police would only increase terrorism.

Shamshul Islam, eminent scholar, alleged that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh was turning Gujarat into a "laboratory of fascist designs to create a Hindu rashtra."

Prashant Bhushan, lawyer, said the power of contempt of court was being misused.

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