Author: Nitin Mahajan
Publication: The Indian Express
Date: May 20, 2007
URL: http://www.indianexpress.com/story/31372.html
Introduction: Sources said Sen, who runs an
NGO, was arrested on the basis of a statement by Piyush Guha, an alleged Naxalite
courier.
Following the arrest of People's Union for
Civil Liberties (PUCL) National Vice-President Vinayak Sen on May 14, the
Chhattisgarh Police today claimed to have recovered incriminating documents
from his residence after conducting a search operation there.
Police sources said the search began early
in the morning. "Hundreds of incriminating documents were seized and
are now being examined by our experts. We will be able to give details after
a thorough examination," said Senior Superintendent of Police (Raipur)
B S Marawi.
The human rights activist was arrested on
charges of alleged Maoist connections under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention)
Act and Chhattisgarh Special Public Security Act, 2005.
Sources said Sen, who runs an NGO, was arrested
on the basis of a statement by Piyush Guha, an alleged Naxalite courier. Several
letters that were written allegedly by Narayan Sanyal, a top Naxalite ideologue,
were recovered from Guha's possession.
Sources said over the past few months Sen
had visited the Raipur Central Jail, where Sanyal is lodged, over 30 times.
The police have alleged that these letters were handed over to Guha by Sen,
who had been in regular touch with the Naxalite ideologue. "We have been
investigating these links over the past few months and the clinching evidence
came after Guha's arrest," an
official said.
Sources say police have evidence to prove
that when Sen met Sanyal in jail, he passed on vital information and exchanged
letters. However, his wife, Dr Ilina Sen, has rubbished police claims and
said: "Vinayak met Sanyal in the presence of the jailer. He has always
met him openly and has never met him in a clandestine manner."
"He has been arrested as PUCL has been
opposing the Chhattisgarh Government on certain points and regularly exposing
fake encounters, disappearances and rapes conducted in the garb of 'anti-Maoist'
operations," she added.