Date:12/02/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/02/12/stories/2008021259570500.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Defence counsel alleges police harassment

Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD: Deendar Anjuman defence counsel Mushtaq Ahmed on Monday alleged that some policemen in plainclothes barged into his hotel room on Sunday and ransacked it.

The advocate from New Delhi, who was in city to appear before the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal for Deendar Anjuman, petitioned the Tribunal seeking protection.

Mr. Ahmed remarked that barging into the hotel room amounts to contempt of court as the Tribunal already issued a circular saying that no illegal searches should be conducted without prior permission. He maintained that one of the policemen, who barged into the hotel room, was in police uniform.

On the first day of the hearing by the Tribunal, headed by Justice Mukul Mudgal, five civilians gave their depositions. Among them were, Mohd. Bakar Hussain Shaaz, editor of Saz-e-Deccan, Abdur Rehman, a retired Government employee, Sadat Hussain, a former anchor and producer of ETV, Joseph Rajeev, a pastor and D. Prem, a senior citizen.