Noted human rights activist and lawyer Mohammed Shoaib, who was picked up from his Lucknow residence in the early hours of Sunday by Uttar Pradesh’s Anti-Terror Squad has denied any links with the banned outfit, the Popular Front of India (PFI). Speaking to The Hindu shortly after his release, Mr. Shoaib said, “I have never had any links with the PFI. The ATS officials asked me about any possible association with the PFI which I denied. I have never attended any PFI meetings.”
Mr. Shoaib had, back in 2011, given a speech at a PFI public meet which led to suspicion about any association with the outfit. “In 2011, the PFI had a public meeting which I addressed in Lucknow. That’s all. Nothing else,” Mr. Shoaib said, adding, “The ATS people themselves dropped me home after interrogation. They, however, took a written note from my wife that they had not caused any harm to me.” His family alleged some seven ATS officials in uniform as well as plain clothes had earlier landed at his residence to pick up Mr. Shoaib, who is a founder of the Rihai Manch, a no-governmental body that fights for legal rights for those detained or arrested in fake cases. The Manch also renders legal assistance to marginalised communities.
The People’s Union for Civil Liberties denounced the ATS action, stating, “This is an attempt to intimidate the minorities.”
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